What is Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, why was its FCRA lisense cancelled?

New Delhi: The buzz around the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and the cancellation of its FCRA licence ignited again during the winter session of the Parliament. The Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence about a month ago which led to a clash between Congress and BJP. The talk about the foundation began when the Question Hour of the Parliament had to be adjourned after the opposition demanded a discussion on the Tawang clash.

What is Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF)?

RGF was set up to fulfil the dream of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who had a vision of a modern and progressive India. The charitable institution focuses on literacy and other social issues like disability support, natural resource management and libraries. Under its flagship programmes, the foundation has provided educational support to children impacted by conflict, worked towards enhancing the mobility of physically challenged youth and set up Wonderoom, a children’s library program.

The foundation was set up on 21 June 1991 and is chaired by former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. The trustees of the organisation include former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, P. Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Suman Dubey and Dr Ashok Ganguly.

What is the controversy?

The foundation got its FCRA license cancelled as it is alleged to have received money from the Chinese Embassy. Talking to the press during the winter session of Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the question of cancellation of RGF’s license was listed during the Question Hour, so Congress got worried and raised the issue of the clash between Indian troops and China’s People’s Liberation Army. He accused the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation received a grant of Rs 1.35 crores from the Chinese Embassy during 2005-2007, so the ministry cancelled the registration license.