Mumbai: 'Green' NGO has dodgy dealings?

Vanashakti, one of the most vociferous NGOs fighting against the clearing land to make space for the Metro car shed at Aarey Milk Colony, has been accused of financial inconsistencies. A person associated with the Legal Rights Observatory said that while the NGO doesn't have the clearances required under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), its website shows options for donations from other countries. Stalin Dayanand, director of projects at the NGO, calls the complaint "nothing but slander" and says they will file defamation against the complainant.

The accusation came via an email sent to the Central Home Ministry on Saturday, seeking a detailed investigation into the NGO's finances. "There are suspicious activities conducted by Vanashakti against developmental projects, and the NGO's involvement in agitations opposing Mumbai Metro Rail Projects bring it under the scanner for motives," the e-mail said. The complaint further alleges that Vanashakti might be collecting money/donations from foreign countries through other unlawful channels.

Meanwhile, Dayanand says that there is no truth in the allegations. "We are the only NGO that is transparent and mention about our bank accounts on the website," he said. "We wrote an open letter when our FCRA was cancelled and have done no wrong."

The letter mentions Dayanand, and reads, "Hence, as a law-abiding citizen of India, I hereby complain and request the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct an inquiry into Vanashakti to find out whether there were negative intelligence inputs against it that forced the Ministry of Home Affairs to deny their FCRA application. (Also inquire) Whether Vanashakti office bearers/activists received funds in cash form to create controversy around the Mumbai Metro Rail Project."

The letter also seeks an investigation into who sponsored, promoted and encouraged Vanashakti to stand against the Metro Rail Project. "These people at the NGO have been opposing a lot of developmental projects," the complainant told DNA, "A visit to their NGO website also throws light on many things, which we expect the government to look into. We sent an e-mail today, and on Monday, we will post our letter to MHA."