Govt seeks details from foreign entities in India

Amid allegations of suspicious dealings by some foreign entities with offices in India, the government has initiated an exercise to record details from all foreign entities regarding their interaction during the course of their duties in the country.

The Union home ministry has asked the entities to furnish details about their interaction with government departments, public sector undertakings and also with civilians. A circular from the internal security division of the ministry has made it mandatory for the entities to furnish all the details of those employed for carrying out liaison operations in the country.
The circular came against the backdrop of allegations that some foreign entities engaged in corrupt practices to get tenders while some were suspected to have funded civil societies to fan agitations against projects such as the Kudankulam nuclear project in Tamil Nadu.
The circular has been sent to various ministries including the ministry of communication asking them to ensure security clearance before foreign entities set up liaison, branches or project offices in India. The Ministry has also handed over a fresh two-page form which all foreign entities are required to fill.
The form seeks details of the employees working with the Indian office, besides asking for details about foreign nationals who had visited India from the company. The new circular seeks details from the companies about contacts with government departments and public sector undertakings includomg names of officials.
It also seeks details on contact with civilians, trusts and non-governmental organisations.