NEW DELHI, June 23: The Union Home Ministry has revised compounding penalties under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, and introduced stricter norms for NGOs receiving foreign funds.
A notification mandates NGOs to choose specific purposes and areas of operation from a predefined Schedule. Faith-based activities are allowed under religious categories, but proselytisation is explicitly excluded. Associations with non-Indian origin foreign nationals as key functionaries will ordinarily not qualify for registration.
NGOs must now declare social media accounts, exact purposes, and operational states. Existing associations have one year to comply. A minimum utilisation of Rs 10 lakh over two years is required for renewal. Subsequent prior permission instalments will be released only after 75 per cent utilisation of the previous one, with field verification. Ultimate donors must be disclosed in intermediary cases, and annual returns require detailed activity reports. (PTI)
