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Tag: FCRA

  • CBI books Oxfam India over FCRA ‘non-compliance’, searches its office

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday lodged an FIR in opposition to the India-based entity of worldwide non-profit organisation Oxfam, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) citing ‘non-compliance’ and ‘violation’ beneath the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA).

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moreover carried out searches on the office of Oxfam India in Delhi on Wednesday, officers talked about.

    Oxfam India is the second NGO in opposition to whom the home ministry has advisable a CBI probe. On March 20, the ministry advisable a probe in opposition to Aman Biradari, an NGO established by human rights activist Harsh Mander.

    The MHA directive was issued following inputs gathered by a variety of companies that detected a variety of irregularities, violations, and non-compliance beneath FCRA 2010 by Oxfam which led to the authorities referring the matter to the CBI for investigation.

    The MHA in its letter to the CBI Director had acknowledged: “though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration has ceased, it planned to circumvent FCRA by routing funds through other routes.”

    It alleged that Oxfam India had routed funds from its worldwide associates harking back to Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain to positive NGOs and exercised administration over the enterprise. The firm will probably be investigating the numerous alleged violations and their scope between 2013 and 2020.

    Oxfam India was registered beneath the FRCA, 2010, for endeavor social actions, with its registration certificates being reliable as a lot as December 31, 2021.

    According to sources inside the MHA, Oxfam India continued to modify worldwide contributions to quite a few entities even after coming into energy of the FCRA, 2020, which prohibited such transfers. The modification received right here into energy on September 29, 2020, nonetheless Oxfam India continued to modify funds to completely different NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.

    Meanwhile, emails found all through an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) revealed that Oxfam India was moreover planning to bypass FCRA provisions by routing funds to completely different FCRA-registered associations or by way of the for-profit consultancy route. 

    The survey may also be talked about to have outed it as a “probable instrument of foreign policy of international organisations and entities” that funded Oxfam India liberally via the years. 

    Sources talked about Oxfam India routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) by way of its associates/employees inside the kind of a price. Oxfam India’s TDS info reveals a price of Rs 12.71 lakh to the CPR in 2019-20 beneath half 194J.

    ALSO READ | FCRA licence of suppose tank Centre for Policy Research suspended

    Oxfam India moreover acquired worldwide contributions amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) immediately into its FC utilization account in its place of receiving the contribution via its designated FCRA account.

    In a press launch earlier this month, Oxfam India talked about it is completely compliant with Indian authorized tips.

    “Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception. Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021,” the NGO talked about.

    The group has filed a plea inside the Delhi High Court in opposition to the selection to not renew its FCRA registration, it talked about.

    “In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in the Public and National interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path,” it had talked about.

    READ MORE:

    ED attaches Rs 1.54-crores worth belongings in money laundering case in opposition to Amnesty India

    Surveillance & Clampdown: ‘NGOs to be linked to central info hub with distinctive ID’

    Government extra prone to organize statutory physique to regulate ‘deviations’, illegal funds to NGOs

    Centre excludes 117 worldwide companies from FCRA ambit; can contribute funds unhindered

    NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday lodged an FIR in opposition to the India-based entity of worldwide non-profit organisation Oxfam, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) citing ‘non-compliance’ and ‘violation’ beneath the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA).

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moreover carried out searches on the office of Oxfam India in Delhi on Wednesday, officers talked about.

    Oxfam India is the second NGO in opposition to whom the home ministry has advisable a CBI probe. On March 20, the ministry advisable a probe in opposition to Aman Biradari, an NGO established by human rights activist Harsh Mander.googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    The MHA directive was issued following inputs gathered by a variety of companies that detected a variety of irregularities, violations, and non-compliance beneath FCRA 2010 by Oxfam which led to the authorities referring the matter to the CBI for investigation.

    The MHA in its letter to the CBI Director had acknowledged: “though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration has ceased, it planned to circumvent FCRA by routing funds through other routes.”

    It alleged that Oxfam India had routed funds from its worldwide associates harking back to Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain to positive NGOs and exercised administration over the enterprise. The firm will probably be investigating the numerous alleged violations and their scope between 2013 and 2020.

    Oxfam India was registered beneath the FRCA, 2010, for endeavor social actions, with its registration certificates being reliable as a lot as December 31, 2021.

    According to sources inside the MHA, Oxfam India continued to modify worldwide contributions to quite a few entities even after coming into energy of the FCRA, 2020, which prohibited such transfers. The modification received right here into energy on September 29, 2020, nonetheless Oxfam India continued to modify funds to completely different NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.

    Meanwhile, emails found all through an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) revealed that Oxfam India was moreover planning to bypass FCRA provisions by routing funds to completely different FCRA-registered associations or by way of the for-profit consultancy route. 

    The survey may also be talked about to have outed it as a “probable instrument of foreign policy of international organisations and entities” that funded Oxfam India liberally via the years. 

    Sources talked about Oxfam India routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) by way of its associates/employees inside the kind of a price. Oxfam India’s TDS info reveals a price of Rs 12.71 lakh to the CPR in 2019-20 beneath half 194J.

    ALSO READ | FCRA licence of suppose tank Centre for Policy Research suspended

    Oxfam India moreover acquired worldwide contributions amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) immediately into its FC utilization account in its place of receiving the contribution via its designated FCRA account.

    In a press launch earlier this month, Oxfam India talked about it is completely compliant with Indian authorized tips.

    “Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception. Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021,” the NGO talked about.

    The group has filed a plea inside the Delhi High Court in opposition to the selection to not renew its FCRA registration, it talked about.

    “In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in the Public and National interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path,” it had talked about.

    READ MORE:

    ED attaches Rs 1.54-crores worth belongings in money laundering case in opposition to Amnesty India

    Surveillance & Clampdown: ‘NGOs to be linked to central info hub with distinctive ID’

    Government extra prone to organize statutory physique to regulate ‘deviations’, illegal funds to NGOs

    Centre excludes 117 worldwide companies from FCRA ambit; can contribute funds unhindered

  • Kerala HC denies bail to Sivasankar in Life Mission case, cities his have an effect on with CM

    By PTI

    KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday denied bail to M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in reference to the alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act throughout the Life Mission enterprise.

    The courtroom docket talked about he might tamper with proof as he had have an effect on with the ruling social gathering and the CM.

    Justice A Badharudeen moreover denied bail to Sivasankar on medical grounds, saying the prosecution firm or jail authorities would assure that he is equipped enough treatment.

    “In the instant case, the petitioner (Sivasankar) could not be held as a person who would flee from the trial. However, his propensity to tamper with the evidence and to influence witnesses could be foreseeable, since the petitioner is a person having very much influence in the ruling party of Kerala, particularly with the Chief Minister of Kerala,” the extreme courtroom docket talked about.

    The courtroom docket well-known that even after his preliminary arrest, and subsequent launch on bail, Sivasankar had been reinstated in service by the federal authorities, “ignoring his involvement in serious crimes”, and that he continued to hold a “pivotal post” throughout the state till his retirement.

    “That is to say, his involvement in serious crimes prior to this crime in no way affected his official stature because of his authority in the state government,” it talked about.

    The courtroom docket moreover talked about that the probe was at an preliminary stage throughout the case and loads of accused, along with Swapna Prabha Suresh, are however to be arrested.

    “Why the prosecution is delaying the arrest of Swapna Prabha Suresh is also a matter of serious concern, though she had an active role in the present crime. For the above reasons, the petitioner cannot be released on bail at this stage and this application is liable to be dismissed. In the result, this bail application is dismissed,” the courtroom docket talked about.

    Sivasankar had moved the High Court for bail throughout the case after he was denied help by a selected courtroom docket closing month.

    The specific courtroom docket had talked about that in view of the character and gravity of the offence involved and the investigation being throughout the preliminary stage, Sivasankar could not be launched on bail.

    Sivasankar was arrested on February 14 in reference to the alleged violation of FCRA in Life Mission, a flagship housing enterprise of the Left authorities.

    The enterprise was conceived by the Kerala authorities to supply properties for the homeless throughout the state.

    As part of the enterprise, the event of a housing superior at Wadakkancherry was to be undertaken using funds supplied by the worldwide humanitarian organisation Red Crescent.

    The constructing contract was awarded to Unitac Builders and Sane Ventures.

    The two firms undertook the event based on an settlement that they entered into with Red Crescent, which had agreed to supply Rs 20 crore in route of the Wadakkancherry enterprise of Life Mission.

    It has been alleged that Unitac builders gave kickbacks to Sivasankar and the Consul General of the UAE to get the contract.

    This received right here to delicate when former UAE Consulate employees Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS had been arrested by the ED and Customs in a single different case related to the smuggling of gold into Kerala.

    The CBI in 2020 filed an FIR in a Kochi courtroom docket beneath Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (punishment of jail conspiracy) and Section 35 of FCRA on a criticism by the then Wadakkanchery MLA and Congress chief Anil Akkara, itemizing Unitac Builders’ Managing Director Santhosh Eappen as the first accused and the company Sane Ventures as a result of the second accused.

    The alleged FCRA violation and corruption throughout the enterprise had snowballed right into a critical political problem on the time with opposition occasions accusing Swapna Suresh, the prime accused throughout the controversial gold smuggling case, of getting admitted sooner than an NIA courtroom docket that she had acquired Rs 1 crore as payment for the enterprise.

    She had reportedly claimed that the money was meant for Sivasankar.

    KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday denied bail to M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in reference to the alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act throughout the Life Mission enterprise.

    The courtroom docket talked about he might tamper with proof as he had have an effect on with the ruling social gathering and the CM.

    Justice A Badharudeen moreover denied bail to Sivasankar on medical grounds, saying the prosecution firm or jail authorities would assure that he is equipped enough treatment.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); );

    “In the instant case, the petitioner (Sivasankar) could not be held as a person who would flee from the trial. However, his propensity to tamper with the evidence and to influence witnesses could be foreseeable, since the petitioner is a person having very much influence in the ruling party of Kerala, particularly with the Chief Minister of Kerala,” the extreme courtroom docket talked about.

    The courtroom docket well-known that even after his preliminary arrest, and subsequent launch on bail, Sivasankar had been reinstated in service by the federal authorities, “ignoring his involvement in serious crimes”, and that he continued to hold a “pivotal post” throughout the state till his retirement.

    “That is to say, his involvement in serious crimes prior to this crime in no way affected his official stature because of his authority in the state government,” it talked about.

    The courtroom docket moreover talked about that the probe was at an preliminary stage throughout the case and loads of accused, along with Swapna Prabha Suresh, are however to be arrested.

    “Why the prosecution is delaying the arrest of Swapna Prabha Suresh is also a matter of serious concern, though she had an active role in the present crime. For the above reasons, the petitioner cannot be released on bail at this stage and this application is liable to be dismissed. In the result, this bail application is dismissed,” the courtroom docket talked about.

    Sivasankar had moved the High Court for bail throughout the case after he was denied help by a selected courtroom docket closing month.

    The specific courtroom docket had talked about that in view of the character and gravity of the offence involved and the investigation being throughout the preliminary stage, Sivasankar could not be launched on bail.

    Sivasankar was arrested on February 14 in reference to the alleged violation of FCRA in Life Mission, a flagship housing enterprise of the Left authorities.

    The enterprise was conceived by the Kerala authorities to supply properties for the homeless throughout the state.

    As part of the enterprise, the event of a housing superior at Wadakkancherry was to be undertaken using funds supplied by the worldwide humanitarian organisation Red Crescent.

    The constructing contract was awarded to Unitac Builders and Sane Ventures.

    The two firms undertook the event based on an settlement that they entered into with Red Crescent, which had agreed to supply Rs 20 crore in route of the Wadakkancherry enterprise of Life Mission.

    It has been alleged that Unitac builders gave kickbacks to Sivasankar and the Consul General of the UAE to get the contract.

    This received right here to delicate when former UAE Consulate employees Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS had been arrested by the ED and Customs in a single different case related to the smuggling of gold into Kerala.

    The CBI in 2020 filed an FIR in a Kochi courtroom docket beneath Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (punishment of jail conspiracy) and Section 35 of FCRA on a criticism by the then Wadakkanchery MLA and Congress chief Anil Akkara, itemizing Unitac Builders’ Managing Director Santhosh Eappen as the first accused and the company Sane Ventures as a result of the second accused.

    The alleged FCRA violation and corruption throughout the enterprise had snowballed right into a critical political problem on the time with opposition occasions accusing Swapna Suresh, the prime accused throughout the controversial gold smuggling case, of getting admitted sooner than an NIA courtroom docket that she had acquired Rs 1 crore as payment for the enterprise.

    She had reportedly claimed that the money was meant for Sivasankar.

  • Home Ministry recommends CBI probe in direction of Oxfam India 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry on Thursday helpful a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, sources acknowledged.

    The dwelling ministry claims that it found that Oxfam India continued to change abroad contributions to quite a few entities even after registering beneath the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers.

    During a survey carried out by the Income Tax division, numerous emails had been found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to keep away from provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to completely different FCRA-registered associations or by the for-profit consultancy route, sources acknowledged.

    The survey moreover “exposed” Oxfam India as a doable instrument of the abroad protection of abroad organisations or entities, which have funded the organisation liberally over time, they acknowledged.

    Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out social actions, allegedly routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) by its associates and employees inside the kind of payment, sources claimed.

    Following these findings, the home ministry helpful a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India, they acknowledged.

    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry on Thursday helpful a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, sources acknowledged.

    The dwelling ministry claims that it found that Oxfam India continued to change abroad contributions to quite a few entities even after registering beneath the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers.

    During a survey carried out by the Income Tax division, numerous emails had been found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to keep away from provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to completely different FCRA-registered associations or by the for-profit consultancy route, sources acknowledged.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    The survey moreover “exposed” Oxfam India as a doable instrument of the abroad protection of abroad organisations or entities, which have funded the organisation liberally over time, they acknowledged.

    Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out social actions, allegedly routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) by its associates and employees inside the kind of payment, sources claimed.

    Following these findings, the home ministry helpful a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India, they acknowledged.

  • FCRA of suppose tank CPR suspended: In ‘new India’, folks with impartial pondering are ‘harassed’, says Cong

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended the FCRA licence of outstanding public think-tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for six months over alleged violation of legal guidelines, officers mentioned on Thursday.

    CPR, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in an announcement, mentioned it continues to cooperate totally with authorities, is in full compliance with the legislation and is routinely scrutinised and audited by authorities authorities, together with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

    It additionally mentioned in gentle of the present order, it is going to “explore all avenues of recourse” obtainable to it.

    CPR was beneath scrutiny after Income Tax surveys on it and Oxfam India in September final 12 months.

    The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of CPR has been suspended over alleged violation of legal guidelines, the officers mentioned.

    Oxfam’s FCRA licence was suspended in January final 12 months, after which the NGO had filed a revision petition with the house ministry.

    With the suspension of its licence, given beneath the FCRA, the Centre for Policy Research won’t be able to obtain any funds from overseas.

    ALSO READ | ‘Internet shut, data seized’: Think tanks CPR, Oxfam recall I-T dept ‘surveys’

    The donors of CPR included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, the World Resources Institute and the Duke University, the officers mentioned.

    According to CPR’s web site, its founder is Pai Panindiker and former members of the governing board embrace former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former Chief Justice of India, the late, Y V Chandrachud.

    The think-tank has been requested to provide clarification and paperwork concerning FCRA funds obtained by it, the officers mentioned.

    The FCRA licence of CPR was final renewed in 2016 and was due for renewal in 2021.

    In its assertion, CPR mentioned the Ministry of Home Affairs has intimated it that its registration beneath the FCRA has been suspended for a interval of 180 days.

    In September 2022, the Income Tax Department performed a survey at CPR’s premises, and as a part of the survey follow-up course of, CPR obtained a number of notices from the division, it mentioned.

    Following due course of, detailed and exhaustive responses have been submitted to the division, the NGO mentioned.

    “CPR has and continues to cooperate fully with the authorities. We are in complete compliance with the law and are routinely scrutinised and audited by government authorities, including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,” the assertion mentioned.

    CPR mentioned it has annual statutory audits, all its annual audited steadiness sheets are within the public area and “there is no question of having undertaken any activity that is beyond our objects of association and compliance mandated by law”.

    “In light of the current MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) order, we will explore all avenues of recourse available to us,” it mentioned.

    ALSO READ | FCRA of suppose tank CPR suspended: In ‘new India’, folks with impartial pondering are ‘harassed’, says Cong

    The NGO mentioned its work and institutional goal is to advance its constitutional targets and defend constitutional ensures. “We are absolutely confident that the matter will be resolved speedily, in fairness and in the spirit of our constitutional values,” it mentioned.

    The CPR mentioned it was based in 1973 and it has been one in every of India’s main coverage analysis establishments, house to a number of eminent thinkers and coverage practitioners whose contribution to coverage in India is nicely recognised. It is an impartial, non-partisan establishment that conducts its work with full educational and monetary integrity, CPR mentioned.

    CPR works with authorities departments, autonomous establishments, charitable organisations and universities in India and throughout the globe, the assertion mentioned.

    The establishment’s work is globally recognised for its educational and coverage excellence and full-time and visiting students at CPR embrace members of NITI Aayog, former diplomats, civil servants, members of the Indian Army, journalists and main researchers, it mentioned.

    Through its five-decade-long historical past, CPR has labored in partnership with governments and grassroots organisations which embrace partnerships with the ministries of setting, forest and local weather change, rural growth and jal shakti, and governments of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and Rajasthan amongst others.

    The CPR’s web site mentioned by its analysis and policymaking engagements, CPR works intently with policymakers in its intention to position India firmly on the trail of constructing a twenty-first-century coverage ecosystem, the NGO’s web site mentioned.

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended the FCRA licence of outstanding public think-tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for six months over alleged violation of legal guidelines, officers mentioned on Thursday.

    CPR, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in an announcement, mentioned it continues to cooperate totally with authorities, is in full compliance with the legislation and is routinely scrutinised and audited by authorities authorities, together with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

    It additionally mentioned in gentle of the present order, it is going to “explore all avenues of recourse” obtainable to it.googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    CPR was beneath scrutiny after Income Tax surveys on it and Oxfam India in September final 12 months.

    The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of CPR has been suspended over alleged violation of legal guidelines, the officers mentioned.

    Oxfam’s FCRA licence was suspended in January final 12 months, after which the NGO had filed a revision petition with the house ministry.

    With the suspension of its licence, given beneath the FCRA, the Centre for Policy Research won’t be able to obtain any funds from overseas.

    ALSO READ | ‘Internet shut, data seized’: Think tanks CPR, Oxfam recall I-T dept ‘surveys’

    The donors of CPR included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, the World Resources Institute and the Duke University, the officers mentioned.

    According to CPR’s web site, its founder is Pai Panindiker and former members of the governing board embrace former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former Chief Justice of India, the late, Y V Chandrachud.

    The think-tank has been requested to provide clarification and paperwork concerning FCRA funds obtained by it, the officers mentioned.

    The FCRA licence of CPR was final renewed in 2016 and was due for renewal in 2021.

    In its assertion, CPR mentioned the Ministry of Home Affairs has intimated it that its registration beneath the FCRA has been suspended for a interval of 180 days.

    In September 2022, the Income Tax Department performed a survey at CPR’s premises, and as a part of the survey follow-up course of, CPR obtained a number of notices from the division, it mentioned.

    Following due course of, detailed and exhaustive responses have been submitted to the division, the NGO mentioned.

    “CPR has and continues to cooperate fully with the authorities. We are in complete compliance with the law and are routinely scrutinised and audited by government authorities, including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,” the assertion mentioned.

    CPR mentioned it has annual statutory audits, all its annual audited steadiness sheets are within the public area and “there is no question of having undertaken any activity that is beyond our objects of association and compliance mandated by law”.

    “In light of the current MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) order, we will explore all avenues of recourse available to us,” it mentioned.

    ALSO READ | FCRA of suppose tank CPR suspended: In ‘new India’, folks with impartial pondering are ‘harassed’, says Cong

    The NGO mentioned its work and institutional goal is to advance its constitutional targets and defend constitutional ensures. “We are absolutely confident that the matter will be resolved speedily, in fairness and in the spirit of our constitutional values,” it mentioned.

    The CPR mentioned it was based in 1973 and it has been one in every of India’s main coverage analysis establishments, house to a number of eminent thinkers and coverage practitioners whose contribution to coverage in India is nicely recognised. It is an impartial, non-partisan establishment that conducts its work with full educational and monetary integrity, CPR mentioned.

    CPR works with authorities departments, autonomous establishments, charitable organisations and universities in India and throughout the globe, the assertion mentioned.

    The establishment’s work is globally recognised for its educational and coverage excellence and full-time and visiting students at CPR embrace members of NITI Aayog, former diplomats, civil servants, members of the Indian Army, journalists and main researchers, it mentioned.

    Through its five-decade-long historical past, CPR has labored in partnership with governments and grassroots organisations which embrace partnerships with the ministries of setting, forest and local weather change, rural growth and jal shakti, and governments of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and Rajasthan amongst others.

    The CPR’s web site mentioned by its analysis and policymaking engagements, CPR works intently with policymakers in its intention to position India firmly on the trail of constructing a twenty-first-century coverage ecosystem, the NGO’s web site mentioned.

  • Congress elevating border difficulty in Parliament to keep away from questions on Rajiv Gandhi Foundation: Shah

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  No one can seize one inch of land until the Narendra Modi authorities is in energy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Tuesday because the opposition demanded a dialogue on clashes between Indian and Chinese forces alongside the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.

    Addressing reporters exterior Parliament House, Shah additionally stated the Congress had raised the border difficulty in Parliament to keep away from questions on the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] cancellation.

    The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), he alleged, had acquired Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy. Its registration was cancelled as this was not in keeping with FCRA guidelines, he stated.

    Rajiv Gandhi Foundation acquired Rs 1.35 cr from Chinese Embassy; registration was cancelled as this was not in keeping with FCRA guidelines: Amit Shah

    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2022

    “India’s permanent seat in the UN Security Council was sacrificed because of Nehru’s love for China,” Shah stated.

    He applauded Indian troopers for his or her valour.”I want to say it clearly..till the time the BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi is in power, no one can capture an inch of our land,” Shah stated

    NEW DELHI:  No one can seize one inch of land until the Narendra Modi authorities is in energy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Tuesday because the opposition demanded a dialogue on clashes between Indian and Chinese forces alongside the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.

    Addressing reporters exterior Parliament House, Shah additionally stated the Congress had raised the border difficulty in Parliament to keep away from questions on the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] cancellation.

    The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), he alleged, had acquired Rs 1.35 crore from the Chinese Embassy. Its registration was cancelled as this was not in keeping with FCRA guidelines, he stated.

    Rajiv Gandhi Foundation acquired Rs 1.35 cr from Chinese Embassy; registration was cancelled as this was not in keeping with FCRA guidelines: Amit Shah
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2022
    “India’s permanent seat in the UN Security Council was sacrificed because of Nehru’s love for China,” Shah stated.

    He applauded Indian troopers for his or her valour.”I want to say it clearly..till the time the BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi is in power, no one can capture an inch of our land,” Shah stated

  • Centre excludes 117 worldwide companies from FCRA ambit; can contribute funds unhindered

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has launched an inventory of 117 United Nations our bodies and different worldwide organisations whose contribution to Indian entities won’t be lined underneath the stringent Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, officers mentioned.

    Indian organisations receiving international funds are mandatorily registered underneath the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 they usually should have a particular account at a delegated department of the State Bank of India in New Delhi.

    According to a house ministry doc, the UN companies and different worldwide our bodies and organisations “to be not covered” by the definition of “foreign source” underneath the FCRA embrace the UN System’s Secretariat, Office of Internal Oversight Services, Department of Political Affairs, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Department for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services.

    The United Nations Office at Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), New York, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNClAD), Geneva have been additionally not lined underneath the FCRA.

    The UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations International Drug Control Programme, United Nations Population Fund, World Food Programme, Rome, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic Commission for Western Asia have been additionally excluded by the FCRA ambit.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Geneva, Global Environment Facility, Washington, International Labour Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation can even not be lined underneath the FCRA.

    The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Monetary Fund, International Finance Corporation, International Rice Research Institute, Manila, International Potato Centre, Peru, Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Vienna, International Solar Alliance have been additionally a part of the 117 organisations which have been excluded from the ambit of the FCRA.

    Since the Narendra Modi authorities got here to energy in 2014, guidelines associated to the FCRA have been tightened. The authorities has additionally cancelled the FCRA registration of almost 2,000 NGOs for violating numerous provisions of the legislation in the previous few years.

    There have been 22,762 FCRA-registered organisations until December-end 2021.

    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has launched an inventory of 117 United Nations our bodies and different worldwide organisations whose contribution to Indian entities won’t be lined underneath the stringent Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, officers mentioned.

    Indian organisations receiving international funds are mandatorily registered underneath the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 they usually should have a particular account at a delegated department of the State Bank of India in New Delhi.

    According to a house ministry doc, the UN companies and different worldwide our bodies and organisations “to be not covered” by the definition of “foreign source” underneath the FCRA embrace the UN System’s Secretariat, Office of Internal Oversight Services, Department of Political Affairs, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Department for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services.

    The United Nations Office at Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), New York, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNClAD), Geneva have been additionally not lined underneath the FCRA.

    The UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations International Drug Control Programme, United Nations Population Fund, World Food Programme, Rome, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic Commission for Western Asia have been additionally excluded by the FCRA ambit.

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Geneva, Global Environment Facility, Washington, International Labour Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation can even not be lined underneath the FCRA.

    The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Monetary Fund, International Finance Corporation, International Rice Research Institute, Manila, International Potato Centre, Peru, Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Vienna, International Solar Alliance have been additionally a part of the 117 organisations which have been excluded from the ambit of the FCRA.

    Since the Narendra Modi authorities got here to energy in 2014, guidelines associated to the FCRA have been tightened. The authorities has additionally cancelled the FCRA registration of almost 2,000 NGOs for violating numerous provisions of the legislation in the previous few years.

    There have been 22,762 FCRA-registered organisations until December-end 2021.

  • MHA cancels FCRA licence of NGOs CHRI, AAWW

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the FCRA licence of two NGOs — Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and Apne Aap Women Worldwide (AAWW) — for allegedly violating legal guidelines and diverting funds acquired from overseas, officers stated on Tuesday.

    The NGOs allegedly did not file annual monetary returns mandated underneath the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010, they stated.

    The Home Ministry has additionally discovered that the NGOs allegedly diverted funds acquired as international donations, the officers stated. The CHRI works within the area of realisation of individuals’s primary human proper to entry data from authorities and different public our bodies in Commonwealth international locations, in response to its web site.

    The CHRI’s additionally works on police reforms programme that goals to understand elevated demand for rights-based police reform and the strengthening of police accountability within the Commonwealth, it stated.

    The AAWW was co-founded by 22 girls from a red-light district in Mumbai, with a shared imaginative and prescient of a world the place no lady can be purchased or offered and finish intercourse trafficking, the NGO’s web site stated.

    The authorities has cancelled the FCRA registration of almost 1,900 NGOs for violating numerous provisions of regulation within the final 5 years –between 2017 and 2021.

  • FCRA: Receiving overseas donation cannot be absolute and even vested proper, says Supreme Court

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday mentioned that receiving overseas donations can’t be an “absolute or perhaps a vested proper” and by its very expression, it’s a reflection on the constitutional morality of the nation as an entire being incapable of taking care of its personal wants and issues.

    The apex courtroom mentioned overseas help can create the presence of a overseas contributor and “affect” the insurance policies of the nation and will are inclined to affect or impose a political ideology.

    “There isn’t any dearth of donors inside our nation,” a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar mentioned whereas upholding the validity of sure amendments to the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which got here into impact in September 2020.

    The bench, additionally comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C T Ravikumar, mentioned it’s open to the State to have a regime which will fully prohibit receipt of overseas donations as no proper inheres within the citizen to obtain overseas contributions.

    “In fact, the Parliament must be credited with for having taken recourse to corrective dispensation for eradicating the mischief, which any sovereign country can ill-afford,” the apex courtroom mentioned.

    The high courtroom delivered its judgement on a batch of pleas, together with these assailing the constitutional validity of the amendments to the provisions of the FCRA 2010, vide the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which got here into impact on September 29, 2020.

    “Indubitably, the overseas contribution is qualitatively totally different from overseas funding. Receiving overseas donations can’t be an absolute or perhaps a vested proper. By its very expression, it’s a reflection on the constitutional morality of the nation as an entire being incapable of taking care of its personal wants and issues,” the bench mentioned in its 132-page verdict.

    It mentioned allowing the influx of overseas contribution, which is a donation, is a matter of coverage of the State-backed by regulation.

    “The query to be requested is: ‘in regular instances, why creating or developed nations would want overseas contribution to cater to their very own wants and aspirations? Indisputably, the aspirations of any nation can’t be fulfilled on the hope (foundation) of overseas donation, however by the agency and resolute method of its personal residents to realize the purpose by sheer dint of their exhausting work and business,” the bench mentioned.

    “Indeed, charitable activity is a business,” the highest courtroom noticed.

    It mentioned receiving contributions inside India to do a charitable exercise might be and is being regulated otherwise and it’s not potential to have an identical method referring to overseas contributions from overseas sources.

    “In short, no one can be heard to claim a vested right to accept foreign donation, much less an absolute right,” it mentioned.

    The bench noticed it’s saying so as a result of the speculation of the potential of the nationwide polity being influenced by overseas contribution is globally recognised.

    It mentioned overseas contribution can have a fabric influence on the matter of socio-economic construction and polity of the nation.

    “The foreign aid can create the presence of a foreign contributor and influence the policies of the country. It may tend to influence or impose a political ideology. Such being the expanse of the effect of foreign contribution coupled with the tenet of constitutional morality of the nation, the presence/inflow of foreign contribution in the country ought to be at the minimum level, if not completely eschewed,” it mentioned.

    The high courtroom mentioned the charitable associations could as a substitute deal with donors throughout the nation to obviate the affect of overseas nations owing to overseas contributions.

    “It is open to a sovereign democratic nation to completely prohibit acceptance of foreign donation on the ground that it undermines the constitutional morality of the nation, as it is indicative of the nation being incapable of looking after its own affairs and needs of its citizens,” the bench mentioned.

    It famous that third world nations could welcome overseas donation, however it’s open to a nation, which is dedicated and enduring to be self-reliant and variously able to shouldering its personal wants, to go for a coverage of full prohibition of influx or acceptance of overseas contribution (donation) from a overseas supply.

    “This was the first option noted by the Parliament while considering the Bill concerning the 1976 Act,” it mentioned.

    The bench declared that the amended provisions specifically, sections 7, 12(1A), 12A, and 17 of the 2010 Act, are “intra vires” the Constitution and the principal Act.

    However, the highest courtroom learn down part 12A and construed it as allowing the important thing functionaries or workplace bearers of the associations/NGOs, who’re Indian nationals, to supply Indian passports for the aim of their identification.

    Section 12A mandates an individual, who seeks prior permission or prior approval beneath part 11 or makes an software for grant of certificates beneath part 12 of the Act, together with for renewal of a certificates beneath part 16, to offer the Aadhaar variety of all its workplace bearers or administrators or different key functionaries as an identification doc.

    “To sum up, we declare that the amended provisions vide the 2020 Act, namely, Sections 7, 12(1A), 12A, and 17 of the 2010 Act are intra vires the Constitution and the Principal Act, for the reasons noted hitherto,” mentioned the bench.

  • Supreme Court upholds constitutional validity of 2020 modification to FCRA provisions

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday upheld the validity of sure amendments to the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which got here into impact in September 2020, saying “the strict regime had become essential because of the past experience of abuse and misutilisation of foreign contribution.”

    Observing that receiving overseas donations can’t be an “absolute or perhaps a vested proper”, the apex court docket stated nobody will be heard to assert a vested proper to just accept the overseas donation as a result of the idea of the opportunity of the nationwide polity being influenced by overseas contribution is globally recognised.

    Upholding the amendments meant to strictly regulate the overseas funding of the NGOs, the highest court docket famous many recipients of overseas contributions had not utilised the identical for the needs for which they had been registered or granted prior permission below the Act and that many recipients had additionally failed to stick to and fulfil the statutory compliances.

    “…the strict regime had become essential because of the past experience of abuse and misutilisation of the ‘foreign contribution’ and cancellation of certificates of as many as 19,000 registered organisations on the ground of being grossly non-compliant,” the apex court docket stated.

    A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar declared that the amended provisions specifically, sections 7, 12(1A), 12A, and 17 of the 2010 Act, are “intra vires” the Constitution and the principal Act.

    However, it learn down part 12A and construed it as allowing the important thing functionaries or workplace bearers of the associations/NGOs, who’re Indian nationals, to provide Indian passports for the aim of their identification.

    Section 12A mandates an individual, who seeks prior permission or prior approval below part 11 or makes an software for grant of certificates below part 12 of the Act, together with for renewal of a certificates below part 16, to offer the Aadhaar variety of all its workplace bearers or administrators or different key functionaries as an identification doc.

    “To sum up, we declare that the amended provisions vide the 2020 Act, namely, Sections 7, 12(1A), 12A, and 17 of the 2010 Act are intra vires the Constitution and the Principal Act, for the reasons noted hitherto,” stated the bench, additionally comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C T Ravikumar.

    The 132-page verdict was delivered on pleas, together with these assailing the constitutional validity of the amendments to provisions of FCRA 2010, vide the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which got here into impact on September 29, 2020.

    The prime court docket, which adverted to the legislative historical past culminating with the 2010 Act, famous that severe concern concerning the influence of widespread influx of overseas contributions on the values of a sovereign democratic Republic had been repeatedly expressed at completely different ranges together with in Parliament.

    “To eradicate misuse and abuse of foreign contribution in the past, despite the firm regime in place in terms of the 2010 Act, the Parliament in its wisdom has now (vide Amendment Act of 2020) adopted the path of moderation by making it mandatory for all to accept foreign contribution only through one channel and to utilise the same ‘itself’ for the purposes for which permission has been accorded,” it stated.

    It famous that the sovereignty and integrity of India must prevail and the rights enshrined in Part III of the Constitution should give solution to the pursuits of most of the people a lot much less public order and the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

    “The Statement of Objects and Reasons for the Amendment Act of 2020 makes it amply clear that the annual inflow of foreign contribution had almost doubled between the years 2010 and 2019 and many recipients of foreign contribution had not utilised the same for the purposes for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the Act,” the bench stated.

    It famous that many recipients had additionally failed to stick to and fulfil the statutory compliances, which resulted within the cancellation of as many as 19,000 certificates of involved individuals/organisations in the course of the acknowledged interval, together with initiation of the felony investigation regarding outright misappropriation or misutilisation of overseas contribution.

    It famous it’s open to a sovereign democratic nation to utterly prohibit acceptance of overseas donation on the bottom that it undermines the constitutional morality of the nation, as it’s indicative of the nation being incapable of taking care of its affairs and the wants of its residents.

    The bench stated amended part 7 postulates full prohibition on the switch of overseas contribution to different individual, not even to an individual having the certificates of registration below the Act.

    “Absent such stringent provision, some of the recipient organisations were reportedly indulging in the successive chain of transfers to other organisations, thereby creating a layered trail of money and also utilisation of funds towards administrative costs of successive transfers up to fifty per cent leaving very little funds for spending on the purposes for which it was permitted,” it stated.

    The bench stated overseas contribution can have a fabric influence on the matter of socio-economic construction and polity of the nation.

    “Receiving foreign donation cannot be an absolute or even a vested right. By its very expression, it is a reflection on the constitutional morality of the nation as a whole being incapable of looking after its own needs and problems,” it stated.

  • Foreign donations to be accepted after FCRA registration: Ram Temple Trust

    Even because the marketing campaign for fund assortment for the Ram Temple at Ayodhya has ended, individuals can nonetheless make monetary contributions on-line, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust mentioned Saturday.
    The international donors must watch for some extra time because the Trust, constituted by the federal government to oversee fund assortment and building of the temple, is but to get registered underneath the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

    “We have succeeded in achieving our goal of Samarpan in 400,000 villages. Contact was also made in all the wards of the urban areas. Although the statistics of the families contacted are yet to come, but it is estimated that we have liaised with about 100 million families and Samarpan (contributions) have been received from every quarter and walk of life of society,” mentioned Champat Rai, common secretary of the Trust.
    Rai claimed that the donation marketing campaign has seen very enthusiastic response with even day by day wagers and small farmers contributing.
    “Devotees from outside Bharat are requested to wait a little more. They will be notified upon completion of FCRA formalities,” Rai mentioned.
    According to Rai, about 9 lakh karyakartas in 1.75 lakh groups contacted individuals from door-to-door in the course of the marketing campaign. The contributions had been deposited in banks by means of 38,125 karyakartas.
    To keep transparency of your complete marketing campaign, 49 management rooms had been working throughout the nation and 23 certified karyakartas, led by two chartered accountants, had been on the fundamental centre in Delhi to stay always in contact with your complete community and monitor the accounts, Rai claimed.
    “The app, created by Dhanusha Infotech Company of Hyderabad, did a commendable job as a meticulously-built digital network to act as a digital bridge among the Karyakartas, banks and the trust,” Rai mentioned.
    Rai mentioned that at the same time as the ultimate donation figures are but to return, it may be mentioned that the contributions would cross Rs 2,500 crore primarily based on the financial institution receipts until February 4. This month, the audit of the marketing campaign in each district of the nation would even be accomplished, Rai mentioned.

    According to Vishwa Hindu Parishad, vital contribution has come from the North-East as nicely with Arunachal Pradesh contributing Rs 45 mn, Manipur Rs 20 mn, Mizoram Rs 2.1 mn, Nagaland Rs 2.8 mn, and Meghalaya Rs 8.5 mn.
    Among southern states, Tamil Nadu has contributed Rs 850 million and Kerala Rs 130 million, VHP mentioned.

    Updating in regards to the work occurring on the Janmbhoomi website, Rai mentioned the muse digging and earth elimination works are nearly 60 per cent full and it’s anticipated that the muse filling work will get began within the first week of April.