Despite my best efforts this one is too long, so I prefer to split into two parts, here is the first one.
FCRA - the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, regulates NGOs receiving foreign grants. Registration of NGOs is renewable every 5 years. Large scale violations in compliances and duplicate registrations were seen. In 2017, NGOs that had not filed statements for the past several years were given time; thereafter their licences were cancelled.
Foreign funded NGOs might be engaged in unregistered activities, directly or by funding other NGOs. Under the agenda of donor agencies, they might also lobby on issues – environmental, engage in religious conversions, support protests and political activities. Some office bearers had also been part of the National Advisory Council (NAC), the allegedly unconstitutional body overseeing PM Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet, and having persons from the coterie of Sonia Gandhi. Common donor agencies were also seen across some NGOs.
Recently, FCRA has been further tightened, some restrictions are:
Election candidates, government servants, legislators and political parties are prohibited from foreign funds. No transfer to other FCRA NGOs of foreign grants received. Administrative costs capped at 20% (existing 50%) to prevent lobbying with intellectuals, journalists and government officials. Aadhaar made mandatory for all office bearers. NGOs to spend money on their declared agenda and withdraw from other activities.
Obviously, foreign and Indian organisations and activists have not appreciated these actions and allege that the present government is stifling criticism.
Addendum : A good video on this can be seen here - https://youtu.be/4DyBdnCrTzM
Next: More on FCRA
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1 comment:
From RG: 🙋♀️....thanks 😊
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