M A I N   N E W S

Govt simplifies norms to get foreign aid
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan 29 — For hassle-free donations, the Centre today considerably simplified the procedure to enable foreign countries and organisations to contribute for earthquake relief in Gujarat.

No permission would be required for the receipt of foreign contributions in the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the state government or any of its departments, a Home Ministry spokesman here said.

No permission would also be required if the foreign contribution is sent to any government department/agency/ local body/municipality, etc, he said.

Voluntary organisations already registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 1976, do not require any separate permission to accept foreign contributions.

“Such organisations are permitted, as a special case, to receive or use the foreign contributions in cash and kind for assisting the victims of the earthquake under intimation to the Home Ministry,” the spokesman said.

Organisations that do not have any permission under the FCRA are required to obtain the Centre’s prior permission before doing so. “Such organisations are advised to open a separate bank account (only for cash contributions), for the receipt of foreign contribution and immediately file applications to the Foreigners’ Division of the Home Ministry,” he added.

World Bank offers $ 300 m

NEW DELHI, Jan 29 (UNI) — The World Bank today agreed to provide an immediate assistance of $ 300 million and long-term support for reconstruction work in Gujarat. Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha yesterday had appealed for an assistance from the bank.

Accepting Mr Sinha’s request, the bank offered assistance in two phases. In the first phase, about $ 300 million would be provided for immediate emergency rehabilitation work and the second tranchet would come within six months for a long-term reconstruction and disaster mitigation package likely on “concessional terms’’.