How India’s move to change foreign funding rules for nonprofits could backfire

The recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act can have adverse implications for thousands of mid-sized and small NGOs aiding development.

Meenakshi Batra

· Dec 02, 2020 · 01:30 pm

Centre makes rules stricter for NGOs and those participating in politics to receive foreign funding

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act was recently amended in September.

Scroll Staff

· Nov 12, 2020 · 11:20 am

Violation of law can’t be tolerated on the pretext of human rights: India to UN body chief over FCRA

Foreign ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said he expected a more nuanced view on the matter from the UN body.

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· Oct 21, 2020 · 08:04 am

FCRA Bill demonises, puts relation with government in jeopardy: NGOs urge Kovind not to give assent

The legislation, which lays down conditions under which civil society organisations can receive funds from abroad, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.

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· Sep 25, 2020 · 11:45 am

Lok Sabha passes amendments to FCRA that makes Aadhaar compulsory for NGOs accepting foreign funds

During a debate on the draft law, MP Supriya Sule questioned the decision to make Aadhaar mandatory and asked the reason for the focus on SBI, Delhi.

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· Sep 21, 2020 · 07:45 pm

FCRA amendments will be a ‘death blow’ for NGOs, says Voluntary Action Network India

The group said the draft law ‘throttles the spirit of cooperation’ and international collaboration.

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· Sep 21, 2020 · 06:34 pm

Centre expands foreign funding eligibility criteria to cover all office-bearers, members of NGOs

One of the criteria is that the person must not have been prosecuted or convicted of converting anyone from one faith to another.

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· Sep 17, 2019 · 01:25 pm

Centre says International Solar Alliance will no longer be treated as a foreign source of funding

Ministry of Home Affairs officials said the decision was taken to increase India’s use of solar energy in meeting energy needs.

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· Apr 25, 2019 · 06:52 pm

Over 4,800 NGOs barred from receiving foreign funding in the last three years, says Kiren Rijiju

The organations’ licence to receive money from abroad was cancelled after they failed to file annual returns, the Union minister told the Rajya Sabha.

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· Jan 02, 2019 · 04:56 pm

Enforcement Directorate searches Amnesty International’s Bengaluru office, say reports

The investigation agency is reportedly looking into alleged violation of foreign exchange rules.

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· Oct 25, 2018 · 07:43 pm

Home Ministry allows health advocacy NGO to take foreign funding a year after it revoked its licence

The ministry said the Public Health Foundation of India was working with many state and central government departments on health projects.

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· Feb 02, 2018 · 06:15 pm

Institutes like IITs and JNU exempt from provisions of foreign funding Act, clarifies Centre

It was responding to reports that the FCRA licence of these institutions was cancelled as they had not filed their annual returns for five years.

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· Sep 15, 2017 · 09:06 pm