Wednesday, February 9 2005 22:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: The UK Charity Commission today (Feb 09, 2005) cleared the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Sewa International of the charge of misuse of funds collected in Britain and spent in India for rehabilitation of victims of the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001.

Expressing its "satisfaction" at the handling of the funds by the Sangh, the Commission said its investigation showed that all the money - 2,326,591 Pounds ($ 4.3 million) - it collected and spent could be accounted for.

"The Commission is satisfied that the trustees have taken sufficient steps to ensure that funds have been applied in accordance with the appeal.

"During the inquiry, we have been asked to consider the alleged links between the Charity and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). The trustees stated that the Charity has no formal organisational links with RSS and that there is only an ideological commonality between the two organizations. Therefore, owing to the Commission being satisfied that the funds have been properly expended it was not necessary to consider any alleged links during this inquiry," the Commission stated in its findings.

The Charity also produced a detailed break-up of the application of funds by Sewa International (UK) in India.

The NGO said it utilised 1,062,000 Pounds for the reconstruction of six villages, 123,352 and 1,282,352 Pounds for two separate schools projects and 118,887 Pounds for other projects.

These amounts show that Sewa International (UK) contributed 74 per cent of the total project costs of 3,507,914 Pounds, it said.

The Commission, however, noted that it was unable to establish for itself how the funds were utilised as its request for visas to visit India to undertake an inspection were refused by the Indian Government.

The Commission said following concerns expressed over the administration and expenditure of the appeal, an inquiry was opened on October 4, 2002.

The purpose of the inquiry was to establish whether the funds raised had been properly applied in accordance with the terms of the appeal.