Authorities warns NGOs of penal motion for receiving international funds with out FCRA registration

Ministry of Residence Affairs (MHA). File

The Union Residence Ministry on Tuesday (January 21, 2025) warned non-government organisations (NGOs) of penal motion in the event that they obtain international funds with out registration beneath the Foreigners Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA). FCRA registration is obligatory to obtain international donations.

In a public discover, the Ministry stated that every FCRA-registered NGO or affiliation has to utilise international contribution (FC) for the aim for which it has been registered or granted prior permission beneath the Act. It added that no particular person shall settle for FC until such an individual obtains a certificates of registration or prior permission from the Union authorities.

Additionally, Part 16 of the Act stipulates that each one that has been granted a certificates shall have such paperwork renewed inside six months earlier than expiry of the interval of such certificates.

“Accordingly, the Overseas Contribution (Regulation) Guidelines, 2011 prescribes that no particular person whose certificates of registration has ceased to exist shall both obtain or utilise international contribution. Nevertheless, situations have come to note of this Ministry the place credit score or debit of FC has been seen into the accounts of NGOs/associations who haven’t been granted registration/ prior permission/ renewal beneath the FCRA, 2010 or such NGOs/associations whose registration has ceased on expiry of validity interval or whose registration has been cancelled,” the Ministry stated.

Additionally learn | Why was FCRA registration for a number of NGOs cancelled? | Defined 

It added that any receipt or utilisation of FC with out legitimate FCRA registration is violation of provisions of the Act.

The Ministry said that any transaction in FCRA accounts/FCRA utilisation accounts of the NGO whose FCRA certificates has been cancelled ceased or its validity expired would quantity to violation of FCRA, 2010 and is chargeable for penal motion.