NGOs linked with radical organisations, conversions not to get FCRA, says Centre

Involvement in anti-development activities and religious conversions, inciting protests with malicious intentions and links with radical organisations are some of the reasons listed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for denying clearance needed under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to receive funds from abroad.

In a notification dated November 8, the MHA said that it was putting out “consolidated reasons” after receiving a representation from several NGOs seeking clarity on why their clearance under the FCRA was denied.

Interestingly though, the ministry has not named the NGOs which fall under such categories.

"The ministry has received representation from some of the associations stating that the reasons for denial of their application are not clear.

The matter has been examined and it is decided to disseminate the consolidated reasons of denial of renewal/registration applications for benefit of applicant associations. Accordingly, an illustrative list of reasons of denial of renewal/registration applications is tabulated,” the notification said.

The ministry further said that other reasons for refusal of clearance include concealment of facts in application forms, pending prosecution against any office-bearers of the NGO, if a field enquiry reveals that no reasonable activity has been carried out by the NGO for two to three years, refusal to provide clarifications and absence of details of the addresses of office-bearers or members.

In cases of renewals, the notification said that the MHA can reject the application if it finds that the funds received by the organisation in the past five years have not been used as per aims and objectives; if annual returns are not uploaded; or if there is any discrepancy in financial documents.