After Year-Long Struggle, Centre Renews RDT’s FCRA Licence
24 March 2026 9:47 AM IST24 March 2026 9:47 AM IST
Renewal brings cheer to people across Rayalaseema and parts of Telangana
Rural Development Trust (RDT) director Moncho Ferrer thanks minister N. Lokesh for his efforts in securing Central government approval for the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence to the RDT. Finance minister Payyavula Keshav is also seen.
ANANTAPUR: Union ministry of home affairs’ renewal of Rural Development Trust (RDT)’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence after a yearlong struggle has spread cheer among the lakhs of beneficiaries belonging to various categories living in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region and parts of Telangana.
RDT is one of top NGOs in the country with a legacy of over 55 years in helping lakhs of poor families, students, sports persons, and patients, mainly spread across Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts and tribal people of Nallamala forests in Nandyala district. Its licence stands renewed with effect from March 23, 2026, for five years until March 22, 2031.
RDT faced a major setback last year after its FCRA renewal had been rejected following allegations that some of its personnel are diverting the NGOs’ funds for religious conversions. The NGO denied the charge.
Soon, an unprecedented wave of support emerged for RDT across Anantapur district, cutting across political and social lines.
Leaders and cadres of major political parties, including the ruling Telugu Desam, opposition YSRC, CPI and CPM, apart from numerous social activists, joined hands to launch peaceful protests seeking renewal of FCRA licence of the RDT. The campaign involved mass mobilisation, including sending of nearly one lakh postcards to authorities, and various delegations visiting New Delhi for the renewal. 32 lakh people joined the movement through Discover Anantapuram organisation in one year.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh responded positively following representations made by TD MPs and MLAs from the district. They met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider the ministry’s decision. Anantapur MP Ambika Lakshmi Narayana coordinated with MPs from state to mount pressure on the centre.
As the renewal of licence continued to be denied, RDT reportedly planned to shift its service to Sri Lanka, following a request from that government. This led to the Union Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervening. The Central Intelligence Bureau cleared the proposal for renewing the licence for the Rural Development Trust.
RDT’s Role in Regional Development:
- Established by Father Ferror in 1969
- Runs three major hospitals at Bathalapalli and Kanekal and Kalyandurg in Anantapur district, providing quality medical aid to more than five lakh people, including deliveries, surgeries, and HIV and thalassemia care, among others
- 8.5 lakh outpatients and 60,000 inpatients
- Inclusive schools, including three primary residential schools and two high schools
- Inclusive spots opportunities across disciplines like cricket, hockey, kabaddi, judo, tennis, and football
- Equal access for girls with specialised Girls’ Football Academy in collaboration with La Liga
RDT faced a major setback last year after its FCRA renewal had been rejected following allegations that some of its personnel are diverting the NGOs’ funds for religious conversions. The NGO denied the charge.
Soon, an unprecedented wave of support emerged for RDT across Anantapur district, cutting across political and social lines.
Leaders and cadres of major political parties, including the ruling Telugu Desam, opposition YSRC, CPI and CPM, apart from numerous social activists, joined hands to launch peaceful protests seeking renewal of FCRA licence of the RDT. The campaign involved mass mobilisation, including sending of nearly one lakh postcards to authorities, and various delegations visiting New Delhi for the renewal. 32 lakh people joined the movement through Discover Anantapuram organisation in one year.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh responded positively following representations made by TD MPs and MLAs from the district. They met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider the ministry’s decision. Anantapur MP Ambika Lakshmi Narayana coordinated with MPs from state to mount pressure on the centre.
As the renewal of licence continued to be denied, RDT reportedly planned to shift its service to Sri Lanka, following a request from that government. This led to the Union Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervening. The Central Intelligence Bureau cleared the proposal for renewing the licence for the Rural Development Trust.
RDT’s Role in Regional Development:
- Established by Father Ferror in 1969
- Runs three major hospitals at Bathalapalli and Kanekal and Kalyandurg in Anantapur district, providing quality medical aid to more than five lakh people, including deliveries, surgeries, and HIV and thalassemia care, among others
- 8.5 lakh outpatients and 60,000 inpatients
- Inclusive schools, including three primary residential schools and two high schools
- Inclusive spots opportunities across disciplines like cricket, hockey, kabaddi, judo, tennis, and football
- Equal access for girls with specialised Girls’ Football Academy in collaboration with La Liga
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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