In a significant development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has refused to renew the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Rural Development Trust (RDT), a prominent NGO based in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
IMPORTANT:
Following our relentless complaints, the Ministry of Home Affairs has finally cracked down on the controversial Rural Development Trust (RDT) in Andhra Pradesh by refusing to renew its FCRA license (FC No: 010120001) after a thorough investigation. https://t.co/xjtvwsx0Vi— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) April 29, 2025
The move follows a detailed complaint filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a legal activism group, in March 2024, alleging serious violations of FCRA norms, misuse of government funds, and involvement in religious conversion activities.
#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
The Rural Development Trust, established in 1978 by Spanish Jesuit missionary Vicente Ferrer, is currently led by his son Moncho Ferrer, who is also a foreign national. The trust had been operating under FCRA Registration No: 010120001. It is also linked to the Vicente Ferrer Foundation Inc., a U.S.-registered public charity chaired by Moncho Ferrer, which is one of RDT’s major donors.
Recent amendments to FCRA prohibit a key functionary of an Indian recipient organization from holding any official position in the donor entity. The complaint raised concerns over this dual role, citing non-compliance.
Among the most serious allegations is the misuse of foreign donations and state-provided financial assistance for religious conversion. The complaint claims that free housing colonies built under welfare schemes were used to facilitate Christian missionary activities, including the construction of churches.
Between 2014–15 and 2017–18 alone, the Andhra Pradesh government had allocated over ₹205 crore to RDT through its Housing Corporation Ltd and Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Department for various projects.
The complaint also pointed to potential violations of data privacy laws. Reports submitted by the Vicente Ferrer Foundation (VFF) to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indicate that personal details—including minors’ educational performance and health data—were shared with foreign donors under the Child Sponsorship Program. Sponsors reportedly received biannual updates from children about their personal lives, raising concerns about the exposure of sensitive information to foreign entities.
Adding to the controversy, the MHA’s investigation reportedly uncovered misappropriation of at least ₹26 crore. This amount was collected as patient fees at the NGO’s hospitals in Kalyanadurgam and Bathalapally, both established using foreign funds. However, the money was not routed through the FCRA-designated bank accounts, a clear violation of the Act.
RDT is also implicated in misappropriation of foreign funds amounting to Rs 26 crore. This sum, generated from patient fees at its 'free hospitals' in Kalyanadurgam & Bathalapally – both established using foreign funds, was not deposited into the FCRA-designated bank accounts. https://t.co/tlwF28NTPf pic.twitter.com/y5vJRT8HNd
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) April 30, 2025
In light of these findings, the MHA has refused to renew RDT’s FCRA license. The decision is seen as part of a broader crackdown on NGOs accused of flouting FCRA rules and misusing foreign contributions.
The LRPF welcomed the government’s action and urged further investigation into the trust’s financial dealings and activities, citing national and social security concerns.
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