(a) whether there are reports that the Ford Foundation is funding Teesta Setalvad`s NGOs and interfering with the judicial system and acting against the stated goal of promoting communal harmony; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) & (b): Teesta Setalvad is associated with two NGOs namely (1) Citizen for Justice and Peace, and (2) Sabrang Trust which are registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA, 2010). As far as funding from Ford Foundation is concerned, only Sabrang Trust has been funded.
There are inputs from security agencies that some amounts have been credited from Ford Foundation to some NGOs which are not registered under the provisions of FCRA, 2010. Hence, to keep a watch on such recipients, the credits from Ford Foundation has been put under prior permission category under FCRA, 2010.