Think Tank CPR On I-T Searches: 'Have Done Nothing Wrong, Extended Full Cooperation'

The premises of the think tank located near Malcha Marg in central Delhi were searched on Wednesday by the Income Tax department.

Delhi-based independent think tank Centre for Policy Research

Days after the Income Tax department conducted searches at the Delhi office of Centre for Policy Research (CPR), the think tank on Friday said it had done nothing wrong and extended full cooperation to the department. The premises of the think tank located near Malcha Marg in central Delhi were searched on Wednesday as part of a probe by the I-T department related to alleged contravention of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

In a statement, Centre for Policy Research said the Income Tax Department visited its office to undertake a survey on  September 7 and 8.

"We have extended full cooperation to the department during the survey, and will continue to do so in the future," the think tank said.

"We hold ourselves to the highest standards of compliance and are confident that we have done nothing wrong. We are committed to working with the authorities to address any questions they might have," it further said.

The I-T department inspected the book of accounts and financial transactions of CPR. The office staff and main directors and office bearers were questioned too, PTI reported.

Established in 1973, Centre for Policy Research is a non-profit, non-partisan independent institution, dedicated to conducting research.

"As one of 24 research institutes of the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research network, CPR has all requisite approvals and sanctions, and is authorised by the government as a recipient under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act," the statement further said.

The Income Tax department had also conducted searches against global NGO Oxfam India apart from a media foundation. The department also undertook the surprise action against three more organisations in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) and charitable organisation domain, PTI reported.

In the last five years, the government has cancelled FCRA registration of nearly 1,900 NGOs for violating various provisions of law. There were 22,762 FCRA-registered organisations till December-end 2021.