Govt cancels foreign funding registration of NGO working on public health

The home ministry acted against the PHFI after it was found that the NGO was allegedly violating provisions of the FCRA by “diverting” foreign funds for purposes other than those the money was intended for.

Union home ministry has barred the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), an NGO registered with the government under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), from receiving foreign funding.

The Centre cut down the number of NGOs registered to receive foreign funding by one-fourth since 2015, shortening the list to 33,500 in 2016. (HT Photo)

The NGO used to get donations from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The home ministry acted against the PHFI after it was found that the NGO was allegedly violating provisions of the FCRA by “diverting” foreign funds for purposes other than those the money was intended for.

PHFI chief K Srinath Reddy was quoted as saying by PTI that the NGO got in touch with the ministry on the issue. “We have submitted all relevant documents and information to the ministry and are now waiting for a response.” As per the PHFI website, it is a non-profit, public-private initiative working in the field of public health in India.