1,200 NGOs issued notices for violating foreign funding norms

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued notice to over 1,200 NGOs across the country asking them to submit expenditure details of the last four or more years, suspecting them for violating foreign funding norms that may lead to cancellation of their licences to receive foreign funds.

The ministry's step, taken on September 8, was part of its crackdown against foreign-funded Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) across the country, official sources said on Wednesday.

"It is alleged that the NGOs violated the stringent laws of on foreign fundings. The NGOs were earlier cautioned over the issue. Ministry of Home Affairs issued notice to 1,222 NGOs and asked them to provide the bank account details in which they receive foreign funds," the sources said.

The list of defaulters included Sri Ramakrishna Math, Ramakrishna Mission, Indore Cancer Foundation Charitable Trust, Madani Darut Tarbiyat and Coimbatore Christian Charitable Trust.

In July, the Union Home Ministry issued notice to 5,922 associatons because they failed to upload their annual returns under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, despite being given adequate opportunities to do so.

The registration of NGOs can be cancelled under Section 14 of the FCRA on violation of law, a Home Ministry official said.

Associations that receive foreign funds are required to submit their annual return for every financial year beginning on April 1 within nine months of closure of the financial year.