A complaint has been lodged seeking the cancellation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Rural Development Trust in Andhra Pradesh.
The Rural Development Trust (RDT) in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, originally established by Vicente Ferrer, a Spanish Jesuit Missionary, is now led by Moncho Ferrer, who is the son of Vicente Ferrer and a foreigner. It was established in 1978 under the Indian Registration Act of 1908, operates from Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh. It is registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs under FCRA Registration No: 010120001.
The complaint filed by legal activism NGO Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) highlights various concerns, including the involvement of a foreign national in the NGO’s activities and alleged breaches of FCRA regulations, as well as issues related to privacy, religious conversions, and misuse of government funds.
Mr. Moncho Ferrer, a foreign national residing in India, serves as a Trust Board member of the Rural Development Trust. Additionally, he holds the position of board chairman for the Vicente Ferrer Foundation Inc. USA, a US-registered public charity organization and a major donor to the Rural Development Trust.
The recent amendments to FCRA regulations explicitly prohibit the chief functionary of a recipient Indian organization from being associated with the donor organization, raising concerns about compliance.
Allegations have been made regarding the sharing of sensitive beneficiary data, including minors’ information, with foreign donors. This includes attendance and performance data of high school students, raising privacy and security concerns.
The complaint highlights the misuse of government funds, with the Rural Development Trust allegedly using state-provided financial assistance for its religious conversion activities. It is claimed that free housing projects intended for marginalized communities are being utilized for Christian conversions, with churches being constructed in housing colonies established by the NGO.
Between the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2017-18, the Andhra Pradesh Government’s Housing Corporation Ltd and Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Dept provided funding totaling over Rs 205 crore to the Rural Development Trust for project implementation.
According to Form-990 filed by VFF with the US Government via the IRS Portal, donors receive reports once houses are built for the poor under the Housing Scheme, which include demographic details of the selected families.
Additionally, in Child Sponsorship Programs, US sponsors receive biannual letters from sponsored children at RDT detailing their school progress, sports activities, family, and health situation. This raises questions about the exposure of minor individuals to foreign donors.
Given the seriousness of the allegations pertaining to national and social security, the complaint urges authorities to suspend the FCRA registration of the Rural Development Trust and initiate an inquiry into its financial matters.
The complaint underscores the need for thorough investigation into the activities of the Rural Development Trust, particularly concerning its compliance with FCRA regulations, handling of sensitive data, and use of government funds. It calls for prompt action to address the alleged violations and uphold transparency and accountability in charitable organizations operating in India.
#Thread
Complaint filed with @HMOIndia on #DataBreach.From 2014-15 to 2017-18, AP Govt's Housing Corporation Ltd and Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Dept's funding to Rural Development Trust for project implementation is Rs 2055965400 i.e, > Rs 205 Cr
Source: Darpan Portal https://t.co/LD08UuW8Pp pic.twitter.com/LPPq3V4jjE— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) March 24, 2024
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