FCRA COMPLIANCE
MHA extends validity of NGOs whose licences are expiring till Sept 30
The Home Ministry has extended the validity of FCRA registration certificates for NGOs until September 30, benefiting those with licenses expiring on June 30 and those expiring between July 1 and September 30, provided renewal applications are pending or submitted.
NGOs getting foreign funding won't be able to publish news content: MHA
The Centre has tightened FCRA rules, mandating NGOs seeking foreign funding to certify non-news publication status, follow FATF guidelines, and submit detailed financial records. NGOs must provide donor letters, project expense breakdowns, and ensure admin costs stay below 20%. Only those with a clear cultural, educational, or social mission may receive funds, and all must be officially registered.
Govt plugging gaps to block foreign 'funding' of news
For the first time, several non-profit entities, backed by foundations and philanthropists abroad, have been asked to give sworn declarations that they would not print or publish news or views on public news. Foreign donations can only be received by organisations that are registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA), an emergency era law that has been tightened over the years amid fears of misuse.
Karnataka HC stays proceedings against Amnesty India
The Karnataka High Court has put a hold on the money laundering case against Amnesty International India and its former director, Aakar Patel, until the next hearing. This decision follows allegations by the Enforcement Directorate that Amnesty circumvented FCRA regulations by receiving funds via the FDI route after its FCRA permission was revoked. Amnesty India denies any wrongdoing.
NGOs to face more checks along foreign funding route
Non-profits in India must comply with stricter rules when renewing or applying for FCRA licenses, including detailed activity reports, signed documents, and legible uploads. These measures aim to enhance transparency and accountability amid increasing government scrutiny and concerns over fund misuse and conversion allegations.
Inform about changes in key members: Ministry of Home Affairs to NGOs
The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed NGOs with FCRA registration to submit details of any changes in their key personnel within 45 days, regardless of pending license applications. Think tank Centre for Policy Research and other prominent NGOs have faced scrutiny over FCRA compliance. Every NGO must maintain a register of investments for audit purposes.
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IEG 2nd big NGO after Missionaries of Charity to regain FCRA licence
The Union home ministry restored the FCRA licence of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) after it was initially denied earlier this year. The licence, approved on July 19, will be valid for five years.
IEG says reapplied for FCRA licence with all papers now
According to FCRA rules amended in 2020, "An application for renewal of the certificate of registration shall be made to the Central government in electronic form in Form FC-3C, accompanied with an affidavit executed by each office-bearer, key functionary and member in Proforma 'AA' appended to these rules within six months from the date of expiry of the certificate of registration."
FCRA license of leading think tank CPR revoked by Union Home Ministry over alleged violations
The Union Home Ministry canceled the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) license of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a prominent public think tank, citing multiple violations of FCRA regulations. The ministry alleged that CPR, registered for "educational activities," utilized foreign funding for litigation activities and funded protests against development projects, including coal mines. Investigations revealed the diversion of foreign donations to non-FCRA entities to support legal battles and protests, violating FCRA guidelines.
Union home ministry renews FCRA licence of ORF for 5 years
Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has had its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licence renewed by the Union home ministry for five years. The Delhi-based foreign policy think tank has been granted a licence from 1 October 2023 to 20 September 2028. ORF had sought the renewal of its FCRA licence to receive foreign grants from voluntary sources and foreign entities.
FCRA violation: CBI registers FIR against Oxfam India, searches its office
"From the email found during IT survey by the CBDT it appears that the Oxfam India is providing funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates/employees in the form of commission. The same is also reflected from the TDS data of the Oxfam India which shows payment of Rs 12.71 lakh to the CPR in the F.Y. 2019-20...," the complaint has alleged.
MHA extends FCRA licence of Care India by five years
The union home ministry in September had extended the deadline for six months till March 31, 2023 for NGOs to apply for renewal of license. Oxfam India, along with Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and Care India were surveyed by the Income Tax department in September last year.
In 'new India', people with independent thinking are 'harassed': Congress
Congress general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh tweeted that "a top research organisation that was close to the ruling establishment after May 2014 is now being harassed for its independent thinking".
Govt suspends FCRA licence of think-tank Centre for Policy Research
CPR, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in a statement, said it continues to cooperate fully with authorities, is in complete compliance with the law and is routinely scrutinised and audited by government authorities, including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
FCRA licence of CPR suspended amid I-T probe
Oxfam's FCRA licence was revoked in January 2022, after which the NGO had filed a revision petition with the home ministry. Officials said that CPR's license was revoked recently citing non-compliance of FCRA norms. The society had filed for renewal, ET has learnt.
New overseas investment norms: Gifting of foreign securities comes with foreign funding law caveat
The erstwhile RBI norms permitted any Indian resident individual to acquire foreign securities by way of gift from non-residents without taking into consideration the FCRA compliance that prohibited certain category of persons discussed above from accepting gift of foreign securities.
CPR, Oxfam say they cooperated with I-T dept during survey; compliant with Indian laws
Sources said the analysis of the documents was continuing and the department may question some executives of these organisations in the coming days.
Certain data of NGOs removed from India home ministry's FCRA portal
The FCRA website is maintained by the foreigners division of the home ministry and it earlier had detailed data on NGOs granted licences, those who were granted prior permission for receiving foreign funding and those NGOs whose licences were cancelled. The quarterly accounts of foreign contributions received by the NGOs has also been removed.
View: Foreign contribution towards social purposes contribute to the economy too
With rapidly changing international polity, it is imperative that FCRA becomes more accommodative towards transnational philanthropic initiatives and provides crowding-in effect for grassroots impact work.
Over 5000 NGOs, including Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, lose FCRA licence
After amendments to the FCRA in 2020, 18,778 NGO licences were due for renewal between September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The government extended deadline for compliance four times in public interest.
FCRA compliance: Supreme Court grants 3 weeks to Centre to respond to pleas
One of the petitions said the ministry has also validated the licences of these NGOs and individuals till September this year and these decisions were taken only on the grounds of COVID-19 exigency, as many NGOs are involved in COVID relief work.
Ashoka promoters get FCRA okay for University at Mohali
New Delhi-based RHEF is setting up a technology university at Mohali in Punjab with an initial investment of about Rs 2,000 crore.
17 NGOs granted FCRA licence as work picks up pace after COVID
The home ministry has granted FCRA licences to 17 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including Dr Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha (ATSAS) and Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI), according to officials.
MHA advises NGOs on switch to new FCRA regime
In a table put on the FCRA website on Friday, the home ministry spelt out the requirements needed to be fulfilled under the amended Act and rules for four different categories of NGOs and associations.
Docking NGOs for a few bad apples? FCRA may cause unintended hurdles for the genuine ones
Past experience may have led to introduction of greater control of NGOs yet some other amendments will only result in unintended operational challenges for genuine NGOs across India, which are engaged in diverse areas.
MHA launches online analytical tool to monitor foreign funding of NGOs
This web-based tool enables decision-makers in various departments of the government to scrutinise source of foreign funds and their actual use in India, an official statement said.
Mary Kom NGO, Sonia-led trust among 42 bodies under FCRA lens
Kiren Rijiju said that 21 NGOs had been served a standard questionnaire to check as part of preliminary inquiry into an alleged violation of the FCRA.
No tribunal needed to enforce FCRA: Centre tells Delhi High Court
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar was also informed that there was no need for any tribunal or body for enforcement of FCRA, 2010.
No tribunal needed to enforce FCRA, current system robust: Government
The government in its affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said there was no need for any tribunal.
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