Raids are going on at the Center for Policy Research Office in Chanakyapuri, Delhi.
New Delhi:
The search is going on by the Income Tax Department at the Center for Policy Research, an independent think-tank based in Delhi. Sources have so far told NDTV that the action is linked to simultaneous raids in Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat, as well as elsewhere, “on funding of over 20 registered but unrecognized political parties”. There is no response from CPR yet.
Once led by educationist Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who was a prominent critic of the BJP government, the CPR governing board is currently headed by Meenakshi Gopinath, a political scientist who taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University and principal of Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi. She was The Chairman and Chief Executive is Yamini Iyer. board members These include former foreign secretary Shyam Saran and IIM professor Rama Bijapurkar.
Regarding the funding, the thinktank said on its website that being recognized as a non-profit society by the Government of India, contributions are tax-free. “CPR receives grants from a variety of domestic and international sources, including foundations, corporate philanthropy, governments and multilateral agencies,” it said, adding that “a full audit of annual finances and grants” is available. Website,
Established in 1973, it describes itself as “a non-partisan, independent institution dedicated to conducting research that leads to higher quality scholarship, better policies and a stronger understanding of the issues affecting life in India.” contributes to the public discourse”.
“Asking relevant questions” is one of its stated goals.
As far as the alleged connection of illegal funding of political parties is concerned, it is worth mentioning here that, as per the latest figures from last year, there are 2,858 parties in India that have registered themselves with the Election Commission of India, Of which 2,796 are unrecognized, meaning they have not done so. Minimum criteria met to obtain independent accreditation.