New Delhi: Greenpeace India today alleged that the Union Home Ministry was "once again" seeking to block foreign funds being sent to it and said it was going to seeking legal advice against the move.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently again sought to block Greenpeace India's access to funds from Greenpeace International, with Euro 148,608 transferred on March 23 being put on hold.
"Greenpeace is seeking legal advice in the matter as the Delhi High Court in January had ordered that Greenpeace India be allowed to access funds sent by Greenpeace International," it said in a statement.
Samit Aich, Executive Director of Greenpeace India, said that the MHA's repeated moves to restrict the NGO's funding and the movement of its personnel were clear attempts to "silence criticism and dissent".
"As an organisation registered to receive foreign funds, we have been and will continue to remain transparent and in compliance with FCRA," he said.
The NGO also said that, as per its provisional fund- raising figures for the financial year ending March 31, the group received "Rs 30.36 crore, of which Rs 20.76 crore was given by supporters within India".
"The balance of Rs 9.61 crore was received via foreign donations largely from Greenpeace International and the Bertha Foundation," it added.
