Thank you for reading this - will you keep this on the front page so that Rob can have some more support and other people will know about this.

jeera 27 - (the most unliked person on this forum)

Hi jeera, this news report is getting a lot of response on another forum.

I don't know Rob but have read a lot about the marvelous work he does for the children in Goa. Lets hope the people who have made this ridiculous decision can be made to change their minds.

Hi Stephquig - I am the one that is putting out on all the forums as I also think that Rob is getting a bad deal in Goa.---------------

Hi jeera, this news report is getting a lot of response on another forum.

I don't know Rob but have read a lot about the marvelous work he does for the children in Goa. Lets hope the people who have made this ridiculous decision can be made to change their minds.

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Thanks for that - I want as many people to support him as possible on this and other forums and on forums is the only way we can help him and hopefully he will gain strength from our support. Thank you.

The newspaper article gives the reasons why the the department is not a fit institution to be registered as a children's home. It seems from the article that there may have been an earlier consideration of the matter too. It's a shame, but important that all children and care homes comply with the applicable regulations in the area in which they operate. I think I would be jumping up and down if someone was operating a childrens' home in my area unlicensed and outwith the regulations, no matter the quality of its services. I also think that anyone running a similar operation in the UK would have to have more than a tourist visa - I don't see why it should be any different in Goa nor why a lesser set of standards should apply - if the decision not to allow them to operate is legally flawed, I am sure the trustees of the charity would consider the merits of appealing the decision through the courts.

I have had a look at the UK's Charity Commission's website and CWT seems to have a very healthy bank balance and relatively little annual expenditure - the charitable objects for which they have obtained their charitable status here in the UK is for the provision in India of human resources, buildings, facilities, open space, service, advocacy, advice and information, not for the operation of residential childrens' homes. There is clearly much work that they can continue to fulfil in the areas of their charitable objects that will benefit children and young people through working collaboratively with appropriate agencies and keeping the steady stream of volunteers engaged in activities deemed appropriate by the authorities to the holders of tourist visas.

I wish them luck.

Londonraffles, Children walking tall do NOT provide residency!

The Goa Children Act 2003 states in the definitions section that "Childrens' Home means all institutions, whether called an orphanage, home or by any other name and where one or more children reside, either fully or partly".

If there is no element of residency, SusieQ, there can be no need for Mango House to be registered as a childrens' home. Back to my earlier point about the trustees considering legal remedies if the decision is legally flawed.

What the article is saying is that they need clearance from the central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, and they have not obtained that clearance. This is a very basic requirement, and a foreign-registered charity cannot operate in India without it. To do some voluntary acts of charity on an adhoc basis is fine, but when you collect funds and operate on a more organised basis, then it is necessary to obtain permits.

I don't know enough about the legalese and what it takes to get a charity registered, but I do know that getting permits and clearances is not an easy thing. However I have a positive impression of the RBI from my own dealings with them (used to be in banking), they are bureaucratic but fair and if the documents are submitted they will usually do the right thing.

If this is true than I have to say I'm surprised that Rob didn't cross all the T's

The workers volunteering on tourist visa is a bit absurd as your unlikely to get a visa for charity work anyway.

But not getting permission from the RBI is unforgivable (again if true, I read the Herald with a huge pinch of salt)