Stricter foreign funding rules for NGOs

New Delhi, November 12

The government has issued a notification changing the rules of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act — FCRA — to tighten norms for flow of foreign fund to the voluntary sector in India.

The new rules require any organisation that wants to register itself under the FCRA to have existed for at least three years and to have spent a minimum of Rs 15 lakh on its core activities during the last three financial years for the benefit of the society.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also mentioned that office-bearers of the voluntary organisations seeking registration under the FCRA must submit a specific commitment letter from the donor indicating the overseas contribution amount and the purpose for which it is proposed to be given. Election candidates, government servants, members of any legislature and political parties have also prohibited from accepting foreign funding. — TNS