NGO Consultant

NGO Consultant
Odisha NGO Consultancy Services

Thursday, July 30, 2015

New Reporting Requirements for Foreign-financed NGOs?

A local media report states that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has finalized language for the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2015. According to the report, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2015 will require foreign-financed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to complete Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) registration and financial reporting online. The report claims that these reforms are currently under review by the Ministry of Law and Justice; the MHA will announce the changes if and when approved.

FCRA registration and financial reporting is currently a manual process. The FCRA reform could help some foreign-financed NGOs comply with the FCRA. However, it is unclear whether the reform is designed to make FCRA compliance easier or simply increase the reporting requirements for foreign-financed NGOs. Earlier in June, the Prime Minister’s Office was reported to have instructed the MHA to tighten NGO regulations and shorten a window for reporting foreign financing. Since May, the Indian government has revoked the licenses of over 10,000 NGOs for not complying with the FCRA.

- See more at: http://www.india-briefing.com/news/india-regulatory-rules-foreignfunded-ngos-defense-exports-11086.html/#sthash.lTqOEQit.dpuf