CHANDIGARH: Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), one of Punjab’s largest farmers’ organizations protesting recent farm laws, said on Sunday that a central agency had asked it to submit details of its registration that allow it to receive funds. foreign.
The President of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) Joginder Ugrahan and its secretary general, Sukhdev Singh, revealed about the Union government’s lawsuit claiming that “the Center is using all tactics as its sole purpose is to defeat the ongoing unrest.”
The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) stipulates the mandatory registration of any team that receives foreign funds.
“A department at the center sent an email that we received through our bank’s branch in Punjab. In the email, it was said that we should give the registration details regarding these donations from abroad, otherwise they will be returned, ”Sukhdev Singh said.
“The bank manager showed me the email that has been sent by the Forex Department,” he said.
Questioning the timing of the Center’s lawsuit, Singh said: “It is quite clear that the agitation against the farm laws is against the Center and they will try to create whatever obstacles they can in that. They are using all the tactics since their sole purpose is to overcome the turmoil.
When asked how much foreign funds they had recently received, Singh said: “We have yet to calculate the exact amount.”
He said his team will consult a certified public accountant or attorney to submit their response.
“The IT Department first carried out raids against ‘Arhtiyas’ (commission agents) because they are supporting the agitation of farmers. Now, as our team is big, the Center is targeting us, ”Ugrahan said.
“They are asking details about the NRI funds. Punjab NRIs help us with donations of their hard earned money. They are supporting our agitation, what is the problem in that? Also at home, people support us, ”said the head of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan).
“But the Center is targeting us because its sole purpose is to defeat the uproar,” he alleged.
.
