NEW DELHI: The Ford Foundation, no stranger to controversy for supporting liberal causes around the world, may find itself at the receiving end of some tough questions in India. The government is looking askance at some of its activities, which include giving money to organisations that are perceived to be working against the public interest, according to officials.
About $5 million in grants by the Ford Foundation, arguably the biggest such international funding agency, have been blocked by the Indian government in the past few months, top officials told ET on condition of anonymity. The ostensible reason is that the recipient non-governmental organisations (NGOs) haven't filed annual reports and balance sheets with the home ministry. This also includes about $100,000 in grants to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).
"Action against Ford Foundation is under consideration and likely to be taken soon," said one official. "It is expected that full procedure and due process, similar to the action against Greenpeace, is under consideration.