After nearly three decades of providing medical aid to victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the city-based Sambhavna Trust Clinic will close down on Tuesday evening due to the government's refusal to reinstate a registration crucial for it to receive funds from outside the country.

Speaking of the imminent closure, activist and the trust's consultant, Satinath Sarangi, told media persons in the state capital that the Sambhavna Trust, which runs the clinic, has been funded by small contributions made by generous individuals in over 40 countries.

The contributions require the Trust to have a valid Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration, which was cancelled after the trust failed to submit an annual report for the year 2017–18 within the time limit set by the government.

Following the failure to file the report, the government also froze the trust's bank accounts, levied a penalty of Rs 18 lakh, and placed a three-year ban on the trust.

Sarangi contended that although the delay in submission of the report was caused by a technical glitch in the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for FCRA clearances, the trust has been seeking reinstatement of the registration since the lapse of the ban in 2023.

Sarangi claimed that reinstatement of the trust's FCRA registration has been in balance since February 2023, despite a government policy to address such issues within three months of application.

Activists and beneficiaries said that the trust's funds have run dry, and it is left with no option but to shut down the clinic, causing the loss of livelihood for nearly 35 employees and the loss of hope for the scores of gas victims the clinic serves.