India tightens noose around NGOs

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Editor's note: This is the 10th edition of Thirty-six, The Morning Context's weekly newsletter on countless ecosystems in flux across India. In a move that signals a further clampdown on civil society organizations, the Indian government has restricted funding for 10 international non-governmental organizations working on issues related to the environment, climate change and child rights, The Hindu reported yesterday. It’s ironic that the report came during a visit of US special envoy for climate John Kerry, when he indicated that there is no firm commitment from India on net-zero carbon emissions.  An internal Reserve Bank of India note dated July 1, 2021, that was sent to all banks, said the government had specified a number of foreign entities to be placed on the “Prior Reference Category” (PRC list) using the stringent Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010, that was tightened in September 2020, making both banks and chartered accountants accountable for any unauthorized funds that come through… "The RBI has instructed that any fund flow from the (specified) donor agencies to any NGO/Voluntary organization/ persons in India should be brought to the …