EMN
Dimapur, February : 22
The Bishop of Kohima has cautioned nongovernmental organizations against fraudsters and fraudulent organizations promising ‘global funding for community development.’ Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima, is said have received more than a dozen letters requesting recommendation letter for “proposal for community development for the under privileged community.”
Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, secretary to the Bishop of Kohima, issued a note to the media on Monday, February 22 warning the public in general and nongovernmental organizations in particular not to be duped by any ‘fraudulent NGO promising to get global funding for community development.’
“Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima, Bishop’s House Kohima, has received so far 29 letters by speed post (name misspelled as Rev. James Tophil DD) from different NGO from Nagaland, requesting for Recommendation letter for ‘proposal for community development for the under privileged community’ to be addressed to Xavier Social Service Samiti, Bangalore,” the press release stated.
The press release clarified on behalf of the bishop (verbatim):
1. The bishop does not give recommendation letters to any NGOs unless he knows personally and knows well the modality and operation of the NGOs requesting for recommendation. Recommendation letter implies that he knows well the particular NGO and vouches for its genuineness and integrity.
2. The bishop is not sure about the authenticity and credibility of the Xavier Social Service Samiti (St. Xavier Social Service Samiti, as mentioned in some letters) Bangalore. Upon some information that Archbishop of Bangalore is the chairman of the Xavier Social Service Samiti, the bishop personally contacted the Archbishop about it and the Archbishop told him that he has no knowledge of Xavier Social Service Samiti, Bangalore.
3. As per the check list for the application, each NGO is to pay in advance a total of Rs. 75,000.00 - two DD in favour of Xavier Social Service Samiti payable at Bangalore (35,000.00 for registration and 15,000.00 for legal fees), Rs. 15 for country co-ordinator for project writing; Rs. 10,000.00 for processing fees at the time of submitting the application. In all probability the whole enterprise is another way to dupe many innocent NGOs.
The press release made clear that no nongovernmental organization will be issued any letter of recommendation from the bishop. ‘...and the bishop does not know and has nothing to do with so called Xavier Social Service Samiti, Bangalore, promising to get global fund for sustainable development,’ the press release added.
-Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Secretary to Bishop, Kohima
