NGOs

The Centre on Friday extended the validity of the FCRA registration of non-governmental organisations, the renewal applications of which are pending, till September 30. In a public notice, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the validity of the registration of those FCRA entities whose validity had been extended till March 31, 2023 and whose renewal application is pending, will stand extended up to September 30, 2023 or till the date of disposal of renewal application, whichever is earlier. It also said that the validity of those entities which were registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and whose five year validity period is expiring during April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, but have applied for will apply for renewal before expiry of the five year validity period, will stand extended up to September 30, 2023 or till the disposal of the renewal application -- whichever is earlier. "All FCRA registered associations are therefore, advised to take note .

The government has cancelled FCRA registration of 1,827 NGOs for violation of laws in the last five years, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday. Rai told Rajya Sabha that Section 32 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 provides for revision by the central government of any order passed in a proceeding against any association registered under the Act. During 2018 to 2022, the FCRA registration certificates of 1,827 associations have been cancelled due to violation of the provisions of the Act and rules, he said in a written reply. There were 16,383 FCRA-registered organisations as on March 10, 2023.

A total of Rs 2,430.84 crore in foreign funding has been received by Indian NGOs in the last three years, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. An amount of Rs 905.50 crore in foreign funding has been received by NGOs in 2021-22, Rs 798.18 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 727.16 crore in 2019-20, he said in a written reply. The minister said as on March 10, 2023, the FCRA registration certificate of 16,383 NGOs is valid, out of which 14,966 NGOs have submitted mandatory annual returns for the financial year 2021-22 under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. He said some complaints had been received in the past regarding misutilisation or diversion of foreign contributions by the FCRA registered associations and such complaints are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules.

In its endeavour of driving change and making a positive impact in the local communities, McDonald's India - North and East is planning to hire 50 per cent of its workforce by 2025 through NGO

February 27 is marked as World NGO Day, celebrated to recognise and honour the objective of contributing to society and these organisations

When it becomes clear that criticism is difficult without trouble, the circle of one's freedom of expression shrinks

Griffiths reported that the UN had made the largest-ever worldwide plea for Afghanistan in 2023, asking for USD 4.6 billion

People are more gloomy about their economic prospects than ever before and trust business far more than other institutions like governments, nonprofits, and the media in an increasingly divided world

'Protectionism' in social services is impractical

The MCD is looking for support from NGOs and private firms for development of smart classes, libraries, and improvement of school buildings, its officials said on Tuesday. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi in a statement said it has started 'Vidyasthali Project' to develop a "superlative learning environment" in its schools for an all-round development of students. Under the project, various NGOs and private companies are invited to support and strengthen facilities and infrastructure in the civic body-run schools. "MCD is looking forward to active support from various NGOs and private companies, in areas like development of smart classes, library development, nursery class development, material of resource centre for children with special needs, improvement in school building, human resources, sports, fully-furnished computer and science labs and other facilities," the statement said. Proposals are invited from companies, industries, government and non-government organisations, a

The European Union condemned the Taliban's ban on women working for NGOs and said that it was assessing the impact of its aid in Afghanistan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government will show no mercy towards non-government organisations trying to change the demography of the country and create societal disturbances through foreign funding. Responding to a debate on drug abuse in Lok Sabha, Shah said the government has roped in a number of NGOs to create awareness about drug abuse, but it cannot remain a silent spectator to unmonitored foreign funding of such organisations in the country. "There are many NGOs that want to disintegrate India's society. There are some NGOs that want to torture India's society. For these NGOs, the Indian government's policy can't be the same. "For those who don't abide by the FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulatory) Act), strong action will be taken against them. There will be no mercy to them," Shah said. "Flow of funds from foreign lands cannot remain unmonitored. Enough had taken place during your (UPA) rule. This is Narendra Modi's government. We will not allow any

The FCRA registration of 6,677 NGOs were cancelled by the government between 2017 and 2021, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the registration of these NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, were cancelled for violation of various provisions of the law. He said these NGOs will not be eligible for registration or grant of prior permission for a period of three years from the date of cancellation of registration. The FCRA registration of 755 NGOs were cancelled in Tamil Nadu, followed by 734 in Maharashtra, 635 in Uttar Pradesh, 622 in Andhra Pradesh and 611 in West Bengal, he said replying to a written question. The minister said FCRA license of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) was cancelled under section 14, and violation of provisions under 11 and section 12(4)(a)(vi) of the FCRA. The FCRA license was cancelled under section 14 (not being engaged in any reasonable activity in its chosen field for

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked NGOs to refrain from showing "vulnerable children in deplorable condition" in their advertisements to raise funds. In a notice to NGOs, the apex child rights body said a Member of Parliament had raised concern with the commission that various non-government organisations -- domestic and international -- were raising funds through advertisements on print media, news channels, websites and social media while showing "vulnerable minor children in deplorable condition". The child rights panel said, "The commission in the said regard observes that such activities is a violation of child rights, which is in contravention of provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015... "...therefore the commission recommends your good offices to refrain from practising any such activities that involves using of pictures, videos or any such material that showcases vulnerable children in deplorable condition

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said some NGOs have indulged in religious conversion, anti-national activities and misuse of funds to stall the country's economic progress, and strong action has been taken against such entities. He also said that even though law and order is a state subject, crimes have become borderless due to advancement of technology and success can be achieved against such trans-border crimes only when states and the Centre sit together and formulate a strategy to curb them. Addressing a two-day 'Chintan Shivir' of home ministers of all states organised by the Union home ministry here, he said that the government has amended the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) which was being misused by some NGOs to conduct anti-national activities, religious conversion, political opposition to development projects and creating obstacles in economic progress. "In 2020, the government took strong action to stop foreign funding of such NGOs by amending the

Social stock exchange will increase transparency and strengthen the overall development of the sector

Sources said the department is looking at the balance sheets of these organisations vis-a-vis the receipt of funds via the FCRA

An official notification said the revision application can be filed within a year from the date on which the order in question was communicated to the aggrieved NGO registered under the FCRA.

Go for cashless treatment where available, as the reimbursement route is more burdensome

FCRA relaxations offer only partial relief