'Indian NGOs being probed but no scrutiny of foreign NGOs'

In the wake of reports that several NGOs are under the scanner of the government, Home Secretary R K Singh today said funding of around 12-13 Indian voluntary organisations are being probed but made it clear that no such foreign entity was being investigated.

"Accounts of NGOs are generally being scrutinised by various agencies. As such it is incorrect to say that 77 NGOs are being investigated. We are looking into the accounts of 12-13 Indian NGOs with regard to allegation of funds diversion," he told reporters.

He was responding to questions on reports which suggested that the government has launched probe against 77 NGOs, mostly from the United States and Europe, for being hostile towards the country's interests.

The reports came following a crackdown on four NGOs in Tamil Nadu for allegedly providing funds to stage protests against the Kudankulam nuclear plant.

"The home ministry has not asked any scrutiny of visa of the staffers of these (foreign) NGOs," Singh said.

According to reports, the home ministry has prepared a list of these NGOs and it has been "circulated" to Indian missions and posts abroad with an advice to monitor the staffers when they apply for visas.