Why in news
The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of a Christian organisation — Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (TASOSS).
The non-governmental organisation is the second Tamil Nadu-based Christian association whose FCRA registration has been cancelled this year.
According to its website, which is under construction, TASOSS is an official organisation of the Tamil Nadu Catholic Bishops Conference.
FCRA and basic details
FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers.
Foreign powers are pumping money into the India through independent organisations.
The law sought to regulate foreign donations to individuals and associations so that they functioned in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic.
The FCRA requires every person or NGO seeking to receive foreign donations to be:
Registered under the Act
To open a bank account for the receipt of the foreign funds in State Bank of India, Delhi
To utilize those funds only for the purpose for which they have been received and as stipulated in the Act.
FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations that have definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programmes.
FCRA registration is valid for 5 years, and NGOs are expected to apply for renewal within six months of the date of expiry of registration.
The government can also cancel the FCRA registration of any NGO if it finds that the NGO is in violation of the Act.
If it has not been engaged in any reasonable activity in its chosen field for the benefit of society for two consecutive years, or if it has become defunct.
Once the registration of an NGO is cancelled, it is not eligible for re-registration for three years.
How it related to NGO
The NGO is registered as a “social” organisation.
Registered associations under the FCRA can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural programmes.
FCRA registration is mandatory to receive foreign donations.
Since 2015, the FCRA registration of more than 16,000 NGOs has been cancelled on account of “violation”.
As of February 3, there were 17,019 FCRA-registered NGOs active in the country.
The FCRA registration of nearly 6,000 NGOs ceased to operate from January 1, 2022, as the MHA either refused to renew their application or the NGOs did not apply.
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