Greenpeace may halve India staff after donations row

(Reuters, 19 Dec 2018) Known for its campaigns against India's coal-fired power plants, Greenpeace has been barred from receiving foreign donations since 2015.

Environmental group Greenpeace said on Wednesday it could halve its workforce in India to 30 early next year due to a block on its bank account after accusations of illegal donations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government has tightened scrutiny of non-profit groups over the past four years. It says they often act against India's interests and has revoked licenses for thousands of foreign-funded groups.

Known for its campaigns against India's coal-fired power plants, Greenpeace has been barred from receiving foreign donations since 2015.

The Enforcement Directorate, India's financial crime investigating agency, froze its main bank account on Oct. 5.

Greenpeace, which denies wrongdoing, said it only had funds to pay employees for about two more months, meaning half of the staff of 30 locals were at risk of losing their jobs.

"There are multi-pronged attacks on us," said Greenpeace spokesman Nandikesh Sivalingam, blaming the coal lobby.

"The coal industry is strong and powerful even if governments do want to move away from coal, including for climate change reasons."

It was not immediately possible to contact the Enforcement Directorate and a spokesman for the Finance Ministry, under which it operates, declined comment.

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Reuters, 19 Dec 2018: Greenpeace may halve India staff after donations row