Central canceled FCRA license of RGF and RGCT: Center again took strict action against two NGOs controlled by Gandhi family. There are allegations of irregularities in foreign contributions.
Again, the Center took strict action against two NGOs controlled by the Gandhi family
New Delhi: The Central has canceled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act license of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation or RGF and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust or RGCT. These two NGOs, controlled by the Gandhi family, have been accused of irregularities related to foreign grants. In 2020 itself, an inter-ministerial committee was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate this irregularity. This step was taken only after the inquiry of that committee. According to sources, after that the responsibility of the investigation may be handed over to the CBI.
The inter-ministerial inquiry committee consisted of officials from the home and finance ministries and the CBI, apart from the ED. Allegations of falsification of documents while filing income tax returns, misappropriation of funds and money laundering while raising funds from abroad, including China, of the two NGOs have been investigated. Another Gandhi family-controlled NGO called the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust has also been investigated. However, no action has been taken against this organization so far.
RGF and RGCT – Both organizations are headed by former Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Besides, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former Union Minister P Chidambaram are members of the first body. Rahul Gandhi is also a member of the second body. There is also former Rajya Sabha MP Ashok S Gangopadhyay.
RGCT was established in 2002 for the development of the deprived people of the country, especially the rural poor. Currently this NGO works in the poorest areas of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The organization has undertaken two developmental initiatives – the Rajiv Gandhi Women's Development Scheme and the Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital and Research Centre. On the other hand, RGF organization was established in 1991. This organization was active till 2009. They were involved in development work in several fields like health, science and technology, women and children, disability support, education
