MHA Cancels FCRA Licence of Sonam Wangchuk's NGO With 'Immediate Effect'

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has canceled the FCRA licence of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's NGO - SECMOL with "immediate effect". During FY 2021-22, Sonam Wangchuk deposited Rs 3.5 lakh into

the FCRA account of the association in violation of section 17 of the Act, according to the MHA. A Show Cause Notice (SCN) was served to the association in August seeking a reply as to why its FCRA registration certificate should not be cancelled in exercise of section 14 of the Act where the NGO could not provide the clarifications that were sought.According to the Ministry, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) was granted registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, for undertaking Cultural and Educational Programme. An amount of Rs 3,35,000/- was received from Sonam Wangchuk as "foreign donation" in 2021-22. However, the association in its clarification said that this amount is sale proceeds of old bus procured from FCRA fund, although the credit entry of this amount is not found in FCRA account of the association. "It seems that the amount has been received in cash in violation of section 17 of the Act, which is not properly disclosed by the association in its reply," the MHA said.During FY 2020-21, funds amounting to Rs 54,600/- were also deposited in the FCRA account of the association by three individuals (Rs 18,200/-each). The association in its clarification claimed that the amount of Rs 54,600/- shown as a local fund was received from volunteers towards their food and accommodation and was "mistakenly transferred" into their FCRA account instead of the local account. These transactions are also in violation of section 17 of the Act, as per the MHA.Also Read: Nepal Twist In Ladakh Violence? 2 Nepalese 'Protestors' Arrested For Attacking Police In Leh

MHA holds Sonam Wangchuk responsible for inciting Ladakh protests

The latest crackdown comes after protests in Ladakh turned violent, leaving 4 dead. The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement asserted that the mob was incited by Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements, which led to the loss of lives in Leh."In spite of many leaders urging him to call off the hunger strike, he continued with the hunger strike and misled the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protests and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal," MHA said.A fresh round of talks is scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, on October 6.The CBI has also initiated an inquiry into Wangchuk's NGO—Himalayan Institute of Advance Learning (HIAL).