Union Government cancelled licenses of nearly 9000 NGOs

Union Government on 27 April 2015 cancelled the licences of around 9000 NGOs for violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. These foreign funded NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) failed to file annual returns for the years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs in an order said that the registration of the NGOs that had neither filed their annual returns for three years nor given any explanation for the delay, stood cancelled with immediate effect.

The Ministry also directed the district magistrate concerned to manage the assets of these NGOs in any manner considered necessary and in public interest.

Earlier in the fourth week of April 2015, the Union Government had suspended the FCRA licence issued to Greenpeace India and also frozen their seven bank accounts for various alleged violation of laws.

Background
The Ministry of Home Affairs on 16 October 2014 issued notices to 10343 NGOs stating that they should file annual returns within a month, specifying amount of foreign funds received, sources of such funds, along with the purpose for which these were received. It also asked them the manner in which such foreign contribution was utilized.

In response to which only 229 NGOs reverted back to the Home Ministry and the replies which were examined on case to case basis.  

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act requires every registered NGO to submit its returns annually, irrespective of whether it received foreign funding in that year.

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