The Newshour Debate: #AlarmingIBReport - 1

The opposition to several development projects in the country by a significant number of Non Governmental Organisation (NGOs), including Greenpeace, will have a negative impact on economic growth by two to three percent, warns an Intelligence Bureau report. Greenpeace responded to the charge by saying "we believe that this (IB) report is designed to muzzle and silence civil society who raise their voices against injustices to people and the environment by asking uncomfortable questions about the current model of growth." The IB report 'Impact of NGOs on Development', claims the NGOs and their international donors are also planning to target many fresh economic development projects including those in Gujarat. The report, which has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office, the Home Minister, the National Security Adviser, the Finance Minister and others, alleged the NGOs work for stalling development projects along with agitations against nuclear power plants, uranium mines, coal-fired power plants and hydel projects. In a section related to protests against coal mines and coal-fired power projects, the report alleged Greenpeace expanded its activities to oppose coal-fired power plants and coal mining and received Rs 45 crore from abroad in the last seven years. "It is using foreign funds to create protest movements under 'Coal Network' umbrella at prominent coal block and coal-fired power plant locations in India," the report said. Reacting to the charge that Greenpeace has mounted "massive efforts to take down Indias coal-fired power plants and coal mining activity", the NGO said in a statement that instead of destroying Indias forests to access coal underneath, it believes India should embrace renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet rapidly-increasing energy needs. "We have asked the Minister of Home Affairs to let Greenpeace see the report", the NGO said, adding "its only fair that we have the opportunity to address any mis-truths contained within it".