The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had placed the U.S.-based Hewlett Foundation on its watchlist following an investigation that foreign contributions sent by it were being used for climate awareness campaigns, an activity not permissible under the FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act), a senior government official said.
From November 2021, the foreign donor has not been able to send donation to any NGO or association in India.
The official said the U.S.-based donor was placed under the “Prior Reference Category (PRC)” under the provisions of the FCRA after it emerged that it also sent funds via the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The ECF, another foreign donor, was placed on the PRC or watchlist in July last.
