Amaravati, March 24 YSRCP supremo and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy welcomed the renewal of FCRA permissions for the Rural Development Trust on Tuesday and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision.
Founded by Vincent Ferrer in 1969, RDT started offering services in one of the driest regions of India – the Anantapur district – and began the food-for-work project in the 1970s, gradually implementing programs covering all aspects of development.
The former chief minister noted that the renewal of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) will ensure the continuity of RDT's services, which have supported thousands of people dependent on the organization across multiple sectors.
"I welcome the renewal of FCRA permissions for RDT and thank PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Centre for ensuring the continuation of its services to the poor," Jagan said in a post on 'X'.
However, the YSRCP chief criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for attempting to claim credit for the renewal, questioning the delay in restoring permissions that were halted on April 21, 2025.
He alleged that the delay was due to a lack of action, which led to protests by people, the YSRCP, and civil society groups demanding the restoration of permissions.
Jagan asserted that the renewal was a result of public pressure and collective struggle, and not due to any initiative from the ruling leadership. He stated that portraying it otherwise amounts to mere publicity stunts and credit appropriation.