The government on Thursday said that probe is underway to establish whether the money received by certain NGOs in Tamil Nadu from abroad was being used to fuel protests against nuclear power projects.
The issue was raised by P. Rupala (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha, who wanted to know the reasons behind the government not identifying the “anti social activities” of such NGOs and not initiating criminal action against them.
Minister of state for PMO V. Narayanasamy, however, refused to identify the suspect NGOs, maintaining that investigations are still underway. He said preliminary reports indicate that certain NGOs in the country, especially those working in and around Koodankulam area and involved in the agitation against the nuclear power plant, are receiving funds from certain countries.
“Detailed investigation will reveal the source of funding and the expenditure pattern of these NGOs that are opposing the Koodankulam nuclear power project. A CBI inquiry against two NGOs have been ordered. Two criminal cases have been referred to the Tamil Nadu police for investigation,” he said.
Quoting a recent interview of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said while Dr Singh had very clearly said that the NGOs from the US and Scandinavian countries are sending money to people who are involved in the protests here, “whether the same money is being used (to fuel protests here) is not proved”.
He said the government was in the process of opening the Koodankulam project, saying it was “grateful” to Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, who is working with the Centre on the issue. He also said that the DMK has supported the Koodankulam project. “India cannot do away with the nuclear option considering its growing energy needs. Nuclear power is thus an important component of our energy mix and will be pursued,” he said.
Terming the investigations against the NGOs a 'routine matter' of the home ministry, Mr Narayanasamy said, “We do not want to take revenge on anybody.” He said national and international groups ideologically opposed to nuclear power exploited the situation by spreading misinformation citing the Fukushima calamity in Japan.
While S.S. Ahluwalia (BJP) suspected 'state-sponsored work' behind the foreign funding to the Indian NGOs, P. Rajeeve (CPI-M) said the government was not considering recommendations of committees on this issue.