Rating Your NGO/VO/Trust

DNICRA - Decern & Neat Information & Credit Rating Agency Private Limited

Decern & Neat Information & Credit Rating Agency Private Limited(DNICRA) is one of the leading Credit and Performance Rating agencies in India. It provides ratings, risk assessment and analytical solutions to ngo/npo/trust/vo. Third party credit rating and assessment helps to create “trust” between players in funding agency that underpins financial assistants. The DNICRA plays a central and critical role in analyzing, assessing and rating various entities to enable financial assistants and development work. We provide comprehensive ratings, risk assessment and analytical solutions to ngo/npo/trust/vo across all areas enabling clients to make independent, informed & value based decisions on various fields. Our commitment is to build credible, independent and leadership positions to help our customers’ work grow creditable and securely.

Decern & Neat Information & Credit Rating Agency Private Limited(DNICRA) is one of the leading Credit and Performance Rating agencies in India. It provides ratings, risk assessment and analytical solutions to ngo/npo/trust/vo. Third party credit rating and assessment helps to create “trust” between players in funding agency that underpins financial assistants. The DNICRA plays a central and critical role in analyzing, assessing and rating various entities to enable financial assistants and development work. We provide comprehensive ratings, risk assessment and analytical solutions to ngo/npo/trust/vo across all areas enabling clients to make independent, informed & value based decisions on various fields. Our commitment is to build credible, independent and leadership positions to help our customers’ work grow creditable and securely.

To realize our goal we have committed ourselves to providing the ngo/npo/trust/vo with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit and performance opinions. The foundation of that dedication is embedded in several core principles — objectivity, quality, independence, integrity and transparency.

• The DNicra has a dedicated team of qualified professionals constantly engaged in the task of delivering and upgrading its rating services
• It maintains a comprehensive database of all its rating actions, which is used for developing benchmarks required for assessing ngo/npo/trust/vo.
• ngo/npo/trust/vo engages in constant introspection to improve its rating methodology and practices and is in regular dialogue with other rating agencies to standardize rating practices globally.

The DNicra rating report provides a detailed assessment of the rated organisation on issues of governance, management and financial sustainability. It also identifies key improvement areas for the rated ngo/npo/trust/vo and indicates the type of input that could help to make the improvements. The report includes financial statements, key ratios, graphs and comparisons with any previous rating. Besides these, financial and field activities projections based on the assessment of the nicra team are provided.

The rating report consist a detailed analysis, justification of grades assigned and comments on strengths and weaknesses. This is presented to an external rating committee comprising specialists in finance, management and development. The committee critically examines the rating rationale undereach of the three assessment areas using benchmarks and analysis norms. If it does not agree with the report, suitable changes are effected and only after the endorsement of the committee is the report, with a specific rating grade, finalized and submitted to the client.

The DNicra ratings have not only facilitated the flow of funds they have also resulted in important systemic changes and enabled the design of capacity building initiatives for ngo/npo/trust/vo.

Please Visit for more information and rating your NGO-Trust-VO etc: http://www.dnicra.in

Contact: info@dnicra.in

INDIRA JAISING FACES CBI PROBE FOR FUND MISUSE

The Centre is likely to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the fund misuse by an NGO, Lawyers Collective, run by former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising. The Union Home Ministry has already served a notice on the NGO for allegedly receiving foreign funds of over Rs11 crore when she held the post of ASG between 2009 and 2012.

In its notice, the Ministry said Jaisingh received foreign funds while holding a Government post, which is violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA). Sources said that while no decision has been taken on the nature of probe to be ordered against the former ASG, there is enough evidence to engage the CBI in this matter.

They pointed out several instances of FCRA violations were noticed in the account books of the Mumbai-based NGO during a recent scrutiny of documents carried out in January. On the receipt of a complaint from one Raj Kumar Sharma on the misutilisation of foreign contribution by Lawyers Collective, the Ministry inspected the books of account of the NGO for the period from 2009-10 to 2014-15.

In contravention of the FCRA norms, the NGO allegedly participated in political activities and allegedly diverted and misutilised foreign contribution. The enquiry also revealed that significant amount of foreign contributions were spent on air travel, boarding and lodging, local travel of trustee Anand Grover, husband of Indira Jaising, and various contractual employees and representatives from different parts of the country for drafting legislations, dharnas and advocacy with MPs.

At a seminar on “Future Plan-2010” and in the Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the association held on August 28, 2010, Lawyers Collective decided to draft legislation on the HIV/AIDS Bill and spent money for Advocacy with Members of Parliament and Media. HIV/AIDS however does not come under the aims/objectives of the NGO. An amount of Rs88,978 was paid to Delhi Network of Positive People on October 21, 2009 after entering into an agreement for the arrangement of up to 250 people at the rate of Rs200 per person to hold Dharna for HIV/AIDS Bill outside office of the Law Ministry.

The association too organised rallies against Free Trade Agreement. To hold “paid” dharnas by utilisation of foreign contribution is a violation of Section 8 of FCRA 2010, sources said.

Foreign Currency worth nearly Rs3 crore was received by Lawyers Collective for purposes other than the stated Objectives of Association filed with the Registrar like women empowerment, is a violation of Section 8 of FCRA, 2010, the enquiry has revealed.

Likewise, foreign contribution worth nearly Rs12.5 crore was received by Lawyers Collective for the purpose other than its stated objectives i.e. HIV/AIDS awareness. Receiving funds for activities not listed as objectives is also a violation of FCRA.

The enquiry has also revealed that the NGO acted as a conduit for receipt and transfer of foreign contribution meant for UNSR (United Nations Special Rapporteur). During 2008 to 2014, one of the foreign donors donated $95,000, $97,000, $93,896 and $89,599 to the NGO, specifically to assist Anand Grover to carry on his work as UN Special Rapporteur.

Grover availed the foreign contribution for various purposes, including visit to foreign countries (though as UNSR he is entitled for travelling expenses per diem). This was not an activity listed in the Objectives of the Association of the NGO and therefore the Association violated the provisions of Section 7 of FCRA, 2010 (read with Rule 24 of FCRR, 2011) by working as a conduit to receive foreign contribution on behalf of Anand Grover and transferring the same to him, the sources said.

Anand Grover has also violated the provisions of Section 11 of the FCRA, 2010 by accepting and utilising the foreign contribution without obtaining registration or prior permission of the Centre. Grover also used the foreign contribution for personal benefits and spent it outside India, thereby violating Section 8 of the FCRA, 2010.

Grover also appeared in Novartis case in the Supreme Court by spending foreign contribution, which was clearly not meant for that purpose. Funds were misappropriated to meet such purposes. In one instance, the air ticket of Indira Jaising was also booked out of foreign contribution received for Novartis Case, along with him, though she was not officially attached with the case (2011) nor it was any Association-related activity.

Receipt of foreign contribution by her while functioning as Public Servant (in her capacity as ASG from July 2009 to May 5, 2014) is also violation of FCRA norms. She received remuneration of Rs 96.60 lakh from Lawyers Collective out of foreign contribution and as an ASG travelled to foreign countries like Nepal and USA. The travelling expenses were borne by Lawyers Collective from foreign contribution without prior approval from the Union Home Ministry. The ASG being a Public Servant of a high stature who used to handle sensitive matters, thus receipt of foreign contribution violated the thrust of the FCRA, 2010 and consequently Section 3 and Section 11 thereof by not seeking clearances from the Centre for receiving foreign contribution as remuneration from the NGO.

Receipt of foreign contribution in non-designated foreign contribution account is yet another violation of the FCRA. The NGO has received foreign contribution from donors directly in its Utilization account instead of designated bank account for foreign contribution thereby violating provisions contained in Section 17 and Section 18 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9 (1)(e) of FCRR, 2011, the sources said.

The receipt of foreign contribution amounting to Rs 29.33 lakh, Rs 16.18 lakh and Rs 7.54 lakh during the year 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 which was credited to the Utilization bank account instead of foreign currency designated bank account has not been reflected in FC-6 annual returns, in violation of provisions contained in Section 18 of the FCRA, 2010, Rule 17 of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 and is covered under Section 33 of the FCRA, 2010 for suppression of facts.

Discrepancy between the return filed with Union Home Ministry and that with Income Tax authorities - a comparative analysis of the foreign contribution received during FY 2009-10 to FY 2011-12 by Lawyers Collective as per Foreign Contribution return filed with MHA and the return filed with Income Tax authorities revealed discrepancies of about Rs 3 crores.

Non-reporting of opening of utilisation account is also a violation of Section 18 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1) (e) of FCRR, 2011. Frequent inter-transfer of Foreign Contribution from one utilization account to another utilization account is yet another contravention of the provisions contained in Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1) (e) of FCRR, 2011.Likewise, transfer of Foreign Contribution from FC Designated bank account and FC Utilization bank accounts to local fund accounts and transfer of Local Fund into FC account, leading to mixing of foreign contribution with local/ domestic funds is also a violation of Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1)(e) of FCRR, 2011.

Foreign Contribution was spent for air travel and other expenses for contractual employees/workers of other organisations, foreigners and Anand Grover to attend Conferences in foreign countries, a clear violation of Section 7 of FCRA, 2010, the sources added.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/indira-jaising-faces-cbi-probe-for-fund-misuse.html

Lawyers Collective with foreign funds of Rs. 11 crore Or, private collective? NaMo, nationalise kaalaadhan

INDIRA JAISING FACES CBI PROBE FOR FUND MISUSE

Monday, 21 March 2016 | Rakesh K Singh | New Delhi

The Centre is likely to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the fund misuse by an NGO, Lawyers Collective, run by former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising. The Union Home Ministry has already served a notice on the NGO for allegedly receiving foreign funds of over Rs11 crore when she held the post of ASG between 2009 and 2012.

In its notice, the Ministry said Jaisingh received foreign funds while holding a Government post, which is violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA). Sources said that while no decision has been taken on the nature of probe to be ordered against the former ASG, there is enough evidence to engage the CBI in this matter.

They pointed out several instances of FCRA violations were noticed in the account books of the Mumbai-based NGO during a recent scrutiny of documents carried out in January. On the receipt of a complaint from one Raj Kumar Sharma on the misutilisation of foreign contribution by Lawyers Collective, the Ministry inspected the books of account of the NGO for the period from 2009-10 to 2014-15.

In contravention of the FCRA norms, the NGO allegedly participated in political activities and allegedly diverted and misutilised foreign contribution. The enquiry also revealed that significant amount of foreign contributions were spent on air travel, boarding and lodging, local travel of trustee Anand Grover, husband of Indira Jaising, and various contractual employees and representatives from different parts of the country for drafting legislations, dharnas and advocacy with MPs.

At a seminar on “Future Plan-2010” and in the Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the association held on August 28, 2010, Lawyers Collective decided to draft legislation on the HIV/AIDS Bill and spent money for Advocacy with Members of Parliament and Media. HIV/AIDS however does not come under the aims/objectives of the NGO. An amount of Rs88,978 was paid to Delhi Network of Positive People on October 21, 2009 after entering into an agreement for the arrangement of up to 250 people at the rate of Rs200 per person to hold Dharna for HIV/AIDS Bill outside office of the Law Ministry.

The association too organised rallies against Free Trade Agreement. To hold “paid” dharnas by utilisation of foreign contribution is a violation of Section 8 of FCRA 2010, sources said.

Foreign Currency worth nearly Rs3 crore was received by Lawyers Collective for purposes other than the stated Objectives of Association filed with the Registrar like women empowerment, is a violation of Section 8 of FCRA, 2010, the enquiry has revealed.

Likewise, foreign contribution worth nearly Rs12.5 crore was received by Lawyers Collective for the purpose other than its stated objectives i.e. HIV/AIDS awareness. Receiving funds for activities not listed as objectives is also a violation of FCRA.

The enquiry has also revealed that the NGO acted as a conduit for receipt and transfer of foreign contribution meant for UNSR (United Nations Special Rapporteur). During 2008 to 2014, one of the foreign donors donated $95,000, $97,000, $93,896 and $89,599 to the NGO, specifically to assist Anand Grover to carry on his work as UN Special Rapporteur.

Grover availed the foreign contribution for various purposes, including visit to foreign countries (though as UNSR he is entitled for travelling expenses per diem). This was not an activity listed in the Objectives of the Association of the NGO and therefore the Association violated the provisions of Section 7 of FCRA, 2010 (read with Rule 24 of FCRR, 2011) by working as a conduit to receive foreign contribution on behalf of Anand Grover and transferring the same to him, the sources said.

Anand Grover has also violated the provisions of Section 11 of the FCRA, 2010 by accepting and utilising the foreign contribution without obtaining registration or prior permission of the Centre. Grover also used the foreign contribution for personal benefits and spent it outside India, thereby violating Section 8 of the FCRA, 2010.

Grover also appeared in Novartis case in the Supreme Court by spending foreign contribution, which was clearly not meant for that purpose. Funds were misappropriated to meet such purposes. In one instance, the air ticket of Indira Jaising was also booked out of foreign contribution received for Novartis Case, along with him, though she was not officially attached with the case (2011) nor it was any Association-related activity.

Receipt of foreign contribution by her while functioning as Public Servant (in her capacity as ASG from July 2009 to May 5, 2014) is also violation of FCRA norms. She received remuneration of Rs 96.60 lakh from Lawyers Collective out of foreign contribution and as an ASG travelled to foreign countries like Nepal and USA. The travelling expenses were borne by Lawyers Collective from foreign contribution without prior approval from the Union Home Ministry. The ASG being a Public Servant of a high stature who used to handle sensitive matters, thus receipt of foreign contribution violated the thrust of the FCRA, 2010 and consequently Section 3 and Section 11 thereof by not seeking clearances from the Centre for receiving foreign contribution as remuneration from the NGO.

Receipt of foreign contribution in non-designated foreign contribution account is yet another violation of the FCRA. The NGO has received foreign contribution from donors directly in its Utilization account instead of designated bank account for foreign contribution thereby violating provisions contained in Section 17 and Section 18 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9 (1)(e) of FCRR, 2011, the sources said.

The receipt of foreign contribution amounting to Rs 29.33 lakh, Rs 16.18 lakh and Rs 7.54 lakh during the year 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 which was credited to the Utilization bank account instead of foreign currency designated bank account has not been reflected in FC-6 annual returns, in violation of provisions contained in Section 18 of the FCRA, 2010, Rule 17 of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 and is covered under Section 33 of the FCRA, 2010 for suppression of facts.

Discrepancy between the return filed with Union Home Ministry and that with Income Tax authorities - a comparative analysis of the foreign contribution received during FY 2009-10 to FY 2011-12 by Lawyers Collective as per Foreign Contribution return filed with MHA and the return filed with Income Tax authorities revealed discrepancies of about Rs 3 crores.

Non-reporting of opening of utilisation account is also a violation of Section 18 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1) (e) of FCRR, 2011. Frequent inter-transfer of Foreign Contribution from one utilization account to another utilization account is yet another contravention of the provisions contained in Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1) (e) of FCRR, 2011.Likewise, transfer of Foreign Contribution from FC Designated bank account and FC Utilization bank accounts to local fund accounts and transfer of Local Fund into FC account, leading to mixing of foreign contribution with local/ domestic funds is also a violation of Section 17 of FCRA, 2010 and Rule 9(1)(e) of FCRR, 2011.

Foreign Contribution was spent for air travel and other expenses for contractual employees/workers of other organisations, foreigners and Anand Grover to attend Conferences in foreign countries, a clear violation of Section 7 of FCRA, 2010, the sources added.

Inidna Anand Grover must be very tolerant if he is tolerating this pig mouth IJ.

Source: http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2016/03/lawyers-collective-with-foreign-funds.html

GRANT-IN-AID To VOs/NGOs WORKING FOR SCHEDULED CASTES -Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

GRANT-IN-AID TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS (VOS)/NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOS) WORKING FOR SCHEDULED CASTES,Older,Disabled persons under the Below schemes

Department/Organization:- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Last Date to apply online Applications :- 31st March-2016

Download Forms for the Schemes of Grants-in-Aid to NGOs/Voluntary Organizations Working for Scheduled Castes

About the NGO SCHEMES in the Department/Ministry:-

Scheduled Castes Welfare

· Scheme of Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organisations working for Scheduled Castes - Revised (New)

· Central Sector Scheme of free Coaching for Scheduled Castes and OBC Students

Welfare of Backward Classes

· Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Welfare of OBCs

Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

· Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme)

· Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities (DDRS Scheme)

Social Defence

· An integrated Programme for Older Persons (New)

· An Integrated Programme for Older Persons

· Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance(Drugs) Abuse

Eligibility to apply:-

· Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860) or any relevant Act of the State / Union Territory; or

· A public trust registered under the law for the time being in force; or

· A charitable company licensed under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1958; or

· Indian Red Cross Society or its branches; and/or

· Any other public body or institution having a legal status of its own;

· The voluntary organization should have been registered for, at least three years, at the time of applying for grant under the scheme. This can, however, be waived by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, for reasons to be recorded in writing, in exceptional cases.

· Number of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries is not less than 60% in cases of voluntary organizations.

· Any other organization or training institution of repute, which may be approved by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

· Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Voluntary Organisations (VOs) must have had a Bank Account maintained and operated in the name of NGO/VOs for the last three years

· NGOs Sign up on Ngo Partnership system: http://ngo.india.gov.in need to have Unique Id

How to Apply For Grants:-

For Financial Year 2014-15 and onwards all proposals be submitted by online through Online Ngo Proposals Tracking System(e-MSJEN). No Hard Copy will be accepted

Online Submission of application for the Financial Year 2015-16 has been enabled. NGO may Submit online applications for 2015-16 only.

For more Details See the Ministry Website Social Justice

MHA removes Ford Foundation from watch list

The international NGO was also put on the Home Ministry’s watch list in the interest of “national security

On Wednesday, the Home Ministry wrote to the Reserve Bank of India to remove the international NGO from a “watch list” it was placed under last year, sources said.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington for the Nuclear Security Summit, Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to remove Ford Foundation from the “prior permission” category. On Wednesday, the Home Ministry wrote to the Reserve Bank of India to remove the international NGO from a “watch list” it was placed under last year, sources said.

In March last year, the Gujarat government had complained to the MHA that the Ford Foundation funded “anti-India” activities of activist Teesta Setalvad’s NGOs — Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace — and requested that the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration of the two NGOs be cancelled.

In April 2015, the MHA put the Ford Foundation under the “prior approval category”, which meant that all funds from the organisation to recipients in India would have to be cleared by the government. The international NGO was also put on the Home Ministry’s watch list in the interest of “national security”.

The Home Ministry order said that all funds coming from the Ford Foundation have to be routed only after its nod due to “national security concerns” and that it has decided to keep a watch on all activities funded by the US-based NGO. The latest order from the Home Ministry, however, means that banks will not have to seek the ministry’s clearance to process foreign contributions coming from the foundation to any Indian bank account. The Home Ministry’s climbdown follows diplomatic pressure on the government, as well as the Ford Foundation complying with the condition of registering itself under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. 

The Ford Foundation, which had been operating in India since 1952, was not registered as an NGO or any other category such as under the Indian Society Act. After applying under FEMA, its branch office was registered by the RBI in December last year. In May last year, US ambassador to India Richard Verma expressed “concern” over the “potentially chilling effects” of the regulatory steps taken against NGOs in the country. His comments came against the backdrop of the regulatory action taken against several NGOs, including the Ford Foundation. Representatives of Ford Foundation also met Nripendra Misra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, on several occasions to put forth their position on the issue. In a softening of its stand, the Home Ministry had last year unblocked foreign funds to the tune of $1,50,000 to be released to Ford Foundation’s bank accounts after the organisation was unable to pay salary to its staff.

See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mha-removes-ford-foundation-from-watch-list

Track NGO FCRA Renewal Status

Granting of FCRA Renewal Started

For renewal status of your NGO. Please visit https://fcraonline.nic.in/fc_renew_FileStatus.aspx

Check your registered email address. Also keep tracking your application. How to track FCRA renewal status? Click here:

NOTE – Renewal Granted Letters are coming in email. I think FCRA department have started processing applications. SO WAIT AND KEEP PATIENCE.

Many of the organization has already filled Renewal Form FC-3 as per new Rules Amended in December, 2015.

Once you filled, FCRA Renewal Form FC3, you have been allot a 10 digit File Number and you can track your application through it by following below steps..
Steps to Track Renewal Status

Step1 : Go to https://fcraonline.nic.in/fc_renew_FileStatus.aspx

Step 2: On the Right Side of the page, click Track Application in the Menu Item.

Step 3: Select FCRA Renewal Status from the list.

Step 4: Enter 10 digit file number of FC3 Receipt and enter captcha (access code)
Please see your current status…

File FC3 Renewal form online before 30.06.2016 and frequently track your status on the website, hopefully it will be renewed before 30.06.2016.

FCRA Online Renewal Date Extended up to 30-06-2016

Big relief to all the organizations who have not yet submitted their FCRA Renewal application. The FCRA department has extended the date to submit the FCRA Renewal application.

The new date for submission of online application as appearing on FCRA website is 30th June 2016.

Last date for filing of application for renewal of FCRA registration has been extended upto 30.06.2016.

As per the information in the website of FCRA Department www.fcraonline.nic.in last date for filing of application for renewal of FCRA registration has been extended upto 30.06.2016.

This is for information to all

Licenses of 14,000 organisations cancelled under FCRA

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Licenses of over 14,000 associations have been cancelled by the government in last six financial years for violating provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Parliament was informed today.

"Instances of some non-government organisations violating provisions of the FCRA and Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules have come to government's notice. Since, implementation of FCRA, 2010 and FCRR, 2011, notices were issued to around 21,000 associations in 2011 and to 10,343 associations in 2014 for not filing annual returns continuously for three years.

"Consequently, registration of 4,138 associations was cancelled in July 2012 and 10,117 in March, 2015 after issue of show cause notices to such associations and giving them adequate opportunity," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

The data said a total of 14,255 instances were reported for cancellation between 2006-07 to 2011-12 fiscals.

He added in 2014, penalty amounting to Rs 51,99,526 on 24 associations and in the year 2015 an amount of Rs 80,11,010 on seven associations for compounding the offence of receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution without obtaining registration on prior permission under the FCRA, 2010 was imposed.

He said the complaints and inputs with regard to these violations were received by the government from various sources including security agencies and action against such violation is taken after conducting inspection of the records and accounts and giving due opportunity to the concerned association or NGO.

69 NGOs barred from getting foreign funds

The number of NGOs barred from getting foreign funds include 14 from Andhra Pradesh, 12 from Tamil Nadu, five each Odisha and Gujarat, four each from J&K, Kerala and UP, three each from Delhi, WB, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, two each from Karnataka, Uttarakhand and MP, and one each from Manipur, Haryana and Chandigarh

Since May 2011, the Indian government has barred 69 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from receiving foreign funds, the Parliament was infomred on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijuju told the Lok Sabha in a written statement that records and accounts of associations or NGOs were inspected in the event of complaints that they violated the law.

On the basis of verification and after following due process, charges were framed and penal action was decided under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011.

"So far, on account of serious violations, 32 cases have been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and 10 cases have been referred to state police for further investigation and necessary action," he added.

The number of organisations prohibited from getting foreign funds include 14 from Andhra Pradesh, 12 from Tamil Nadu, five each Odisha and Gujarat, four each from Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, three each from Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, two each from Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, and one each from Manipur, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Source: http://www.moneylife.in/article/69-ngos-barred-from-getting-foreign-funds/45978.html

Licenses of 14,000 organisations cancelled under FCRA

Licenses of over 14,000 associations have been cancelled by the government in last six financial years for violating provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Parliament was informed today.

"Instances of some non-government organisations violating provisions of the FCRA and Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules have come to government's notice. Since, implementation of FCRA, 2010 and FCRR, 2011, notices were issued to around 21,000 associations in 2011 and to 10,343 associations in 2014 for not filing annual returns continuously for three years.

"Consequently, registration of 4,138 associations was cancelled in July 2012 and 10,117 in March, 2015 after issue of show cause notices to such associations and giving them adequate opportunity," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

The data said a total of 14,255 instances were reported for cancellation between 2006-07 to 2011-12 fiscals.

He added in 2014, penalty amounting to Rs 51,99,526 on 24 associations and in the year 2015 an amount of Rs 80,11,010 on seven associations for compounding the offence of receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution without obtaining registration on prior permission under the FCRA, 2010 was imposed.

He said the complaints and inputs with regard to these violations were received by the government from various sources including security agencies and action against such violation is taken after conducting inspection of the records and accounts and giving due opportunity to the concerned association or NGO.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/licenses-of-14-000-organisations-cancelled-under-fcra-116031500837_1.html

Last Date for FCRA Renewal Application Extended

FCRA Registration of more than 30,000 NGOs is expiring on 30-Apr-16. All these NGOs were to file renewal application online in form FC-3. Last date for this was 15-Mar-2016. However, many NGOs found it difficult to login and apply.

Department has therefore extended the deadline to 30-June-2016.

Ref:

Source: Banner at https://fcraonline.nic.in.

Important Announcement by FCRA

FCRA Renewal Last Date extended

As all of you aware, that the last day for filling Form FC-3 for renewal of FCRA. Major relief for those who have not filled this form. FCRA renewal Last date is extended till June 30, 2016.

So Now, Last date for filling renewal form FC-3 is June 30, 2016.

Ref:

Source: Banner at https://fcraonline.nic.in.

Delay in FCRA Renewal Process?

Suppose you've applied online for FCRA renewal well in time by 15th March 2016. You've also applied in correct form (FC-3), and have paid the fees as required. However, your FCRA registration is neither renewed nor rejected by 30th April 2016. What happens now? Can you continue accepting foreign contribution after 30th April?

The answer seems to be 'yes'. Though section 12(6) says your FCRA renewal is valid only for five years, the related rule creates some flexibility. According to this rule, the FCRA registration would lapse if proper renewal application with fees is not received by due date. This may also mean that if the application is indeed received properly, then the validity will continue - till the application is actually rejected.

Ref.:

1. Above interpretation may or may not be accepted by FCRA Department. Please obtain independent advice or FCRA clarification on this before taking any decisions.

2. FCRR 2011, as amended Dec'15:

Rule 12. Renewal of registration certificate. -

(1) Every certificate of registration issued to a person shall be liable to be renewed after the expiry of five years from the date of its issue on proper application...

(5) In case no application for renewal of registration is received or such application is not accompanied by the requisite fee, the validity of the certificate of registration of such person shall be deemed to have ceased from the date of completion of the period of five years from the date of the grant of registration

Licenses of 14,000 organisations cancelled under FCRA

New Delhi: Licenses of over 14,000 associations have been cancelled by the government in last six financial years for violating provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Parliament was informed on Tuesday. "Instances of some non-government organisations violating provisions of the FCRA and Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules have come to government's notice. Since, implementation of FCRA, 2010 and FCRR, 2011, notices were issued to around 21,000 associations in 2011 and to 10,343 associations in 2014 for not filing annual returns continuously for three years.

"Consequently, registration of 4,138 associations was cancelled in July 2012 and 10,117 in March, 2015 after issue of show cause notices to such associations and giving them adequate opportunity," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. The data said a total of 14,255 instances were reported for cancellation between 2006-07 to 2011-12 fiscals.

He added in 2014, penalty amounting to Rs 51,99,526 on 24 associations and in the year 2015 an amount of Rs 80,11,010 on seven associations for compounding the offence of receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution without obtaining registration on prior permission under the FCRA, 2010 was imposed.

He said the complaints and inputs with regard to these violations were received by the government from various sources including security agencies and action against such violation is taken after conducting inspection of the records and accounts and giving due opportunity to the concerned association or NGO.

Applications are invited from voluntary cultural organizations for assistance under the building grants scheme

SCHEME OF BUILDING GRANTS, INCLUDING STUDIO THEATRES- Government Grants in Ministry of Culture, India

Applications are invited from voluntary cultural organizations and government aided cultural organizations for assistance under the modified building grants scheme

Organization /Department :- Ministry of Culture, Government of India

Last Date to apply: - 31st March 2016

About the Scheme Building Grants, Including Studio Theatres

This Scheme is to support voluntary cultural organizations and government-aided cultural organizations in their efforts to create appropriately equipped training, rehearsal and performance spaces for artistes.

· All not-for-profit organizations that fulfill the following criteria:-

o The organization is registered as a society under the Registration of Societies Act (XXI of 1860) or similar Acts, or as a Trust or as a Not-for-Profit Company, at least for a period of three years.

o The VOs/NGOs are mandatorily required to Sign Up on the NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) at http://ngo.india.gov.in for unique identification number in Governmental portal of India

o The organization is well established and known to be doing meaningful work in the field of its activity and has gained a local, regional or national identity.

o Its charter is devoted to the preservation, propagation and promotion of Indian arts and culture.

o The organization has a predominantly cultural profile, working primarily for the promotion of arts and culture in fields such as dance, drama, theatre, music, fine arts, indology and literature at least for a period of three years.

· Government-sponsored bodies for promoting the performing arts.

· University Departments or Centers dedicated to the performing arts.

· Colleges set up to promote the performing arts.

How to apply for This Scheme

Please read the scheme carefully before filling up the application form for this SCHEME OF BUILDING GRANTS in ministry of cultural website: http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/building-grants-including-studio-theatres

Applications are apply through online procedure in Culture Scheme Monitoring System (CSMS) : http://csms.nic.in/scheme_status.php of the website provide by Ministry of culture,India. First all the ngos are requested to register in this portal then apply for grant.

More details please see on ministry website :- http://www.indiaculture.nic.in

CSR: Google.org’s 54 million grant to NGOs to boost 3D technology for differently abled

Establishing a mandate to help create more access and opportunity for people living with disabilities, Google.org has announced more than ₹54 million (US$800,000) in grant funding to three non-government organisations (NGOs) – Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust, Leprosy Mission Trust India, and Public Health Foundation India. The grants are a part of Google Impact Challenge for disabilities, an initiative to invest US$20 million in non-profits that are using emerging technologies to increase independence for disabled people.

While the grant to Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust will help them provide improved access to artificial legs through 3D scanning and printing technologies, Leprosy Mission Trust India will establish a facility to create customised protective footwear for people with leprosy. Public Health Foundation India will develop a mobile app that allows easy access to government-provided disability benefits.

'Innovative technologies are already helping to improve everyday life for people living with disabilities. Through these grants, we want to empower organisations to build impactful solutions that will create better access for people living with disabilities in India,’ read a statement from Rajan Anandan, vice president and managing director, Google India and Southeast Asia, in a media release shared with CauseBecause.

Globally, Google.org has donated over US$100 million in grants and US$1 billion in technology resources in 2015 alone.

See more at: http://causebecause.com/news-detail.php?NewsID=769#sthash.IKBjWK4o.dpuf

Life After (FCRA) Cancellation

What happens after death? Where do people go? Can they still see what goes on in real world? No one knows for sure. People have similar doubts about cancellation of FCRA. What would happen? Will the Government chase us out of our office? Will it continue our programs? Will it sell off our assets?

No one knows for sure. However, FCRA provides for government taking over the FC assets and funds of the organisation, as discussed in AccountAble Handbook on FCRA:

...The assets and contribution can no longer be managed by the organisation itself. The ownership and possession will be transferred to the Central Government.The premises may be locked up and assets remain idle. Alternatively, the Government might decide that these should be used for public benefit. In such a case, the foreign contribution can be utilised for public benefit. This will be done by the prescribed authority. The Government can also sell

off some of the assets, if required for managing the activities.....

The above view is supported by a cancellation order issued by FCRA department in Mar'15. This contains a list of 1142 NGOs whose FCRA was cancelled. The order gives direction to the concerned District Magistrates to 'manage the assets of the organisation' in such manner 'as considered necessary' and 'in public interest'.

Quite a task for the District Magistrates to locate the NGOs first, and then to start 'managing' their assets. Even Hercules would have shuddered at the thought!

Ref:

1. AccountAid Handbook on FCRA 2010: p. 93

2. MHA Order for cancellation http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/FCRACancellationOrder_180315.pdf

Expenses on Rallies and Dharnas

FCRA Department appears to have expanded the definition of 'political activities' given in rule 3. Based on this, it has argued that reimbursing travel and food expenses to volunteers in a dharna (sit-in protest) or a rally out of FCRA funds is violation of FCRA.

Legal validity of this argument is doubtful, as rule 3 does not mention such peaceful protests at all. Rather it uses examples such as rail roko, rasta roko, jail bharo, bandh, etc.

Planning to protest against this at Jantar Mantar? Please make sure all volunteers bring their own water and poori-sabzi with them!

Ref:

1. Sec. 5(1) of FCRA 2010

2. Rule 3 of FCRR 2011

3. 'Quasi Political Organisations', p. 62, AccountAble Handbook on FCRA 2010 at www.AccountAid.net.

4. News report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/article-3484826/Home-Affairs-Ministry-report-finds-glaring-violations-foreign-funding-used-NGO-Lawyers-Collective.html

Sitaram Jindal Foundation Providing Vocational Training, Donations to NGOs, Scholarship, Establish and Running Educational Institutions

Organization:-
Sitaram Jindal Foundation, Jindal Aluminium Ltd

About the Sitaram Jindal Foundation Grant:

The Sitaram Jindal Foundation, Jindal Aluminium Ltd., and various other related Societies/Trusts have been giving recurring and non-recurring donations to other charitable institutions having similar objectives, throughout the country for a long time. At present nearly 500 such institutions are getting recurring donations from the Foundation. Large non-recurring donations are given to various institutions for construction of hospitals, school buildings, acquiring medical equipments etc. At present the Foundation is giving donations to the extent of Rs.1.25 crores per annum to various charitable institutions.

Focus areas are:

Vocational training to Women , Giving Scholarships,construction of hospitals, school buildings, acquiring medical equipments etc.,

Eligible Criteria to apply :

Type of organization should Have income tax Exemption Certificate given under section 80G or 35AC or 35(1)(ii) etc. of Income Tax Act.

(a) Brief History of the Organisation / Institution / Society / Trust

b) Copy of the Memorandum of Association / Rules / Trust Deed and also copy of the Registration certificate c) Name and Address of the Trustees / important office bearers. d) Copies of Audited statement of accounts with auditor’s certificate portion (Form 10B) with schedule of fixed assets( with additions / depreciation details) for the past three years. e)If you have more than one unit with individual accounts/financial statements, please furnish the consolidated audited statement of accounts for the past three years with connected schedules. f) Brief Activity report / Annual report and beneficiary details, activity wise for the past three years

How to apply :-

Eligible Organizations Download Application For Donations : http://www.sitaramjindalfoundation.org/assets/doc/SJJT-DonationQuestionnaire.pdf form with a covering letter address to

For those located in Southern India and Western India: Andhra Pradesh,Telengana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducheery and Tamilnadu.

Apply To:-

The Trustee
Sitaram Jindal Foundation
Jindal Nagar, Tumkur Road, Bangalore – 560 073

For those located in Northern India and Eastern India: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bhutan and Nepal (India’s sister countries)

Apply To:-

The Trustee
Sitaram Jindal Foundation
“NATURELLE”
No.11, Green Avenue, Behind Sector D III,
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070

* Before applying the Grant/ Foundation Donations to NGOs See on The Funding Agencies Website For More details to click on :- Sitaram Jindal Foundation : http://www.sitaramjindalfoundation.org/donationstoNGOs.php

Notification for Quarterly filing of information for those organisation who do not have Website

Paying Fees for FCRA Renewal (Form FC-3)

Last date for filing form FC-3 online for renewal is 15th March 2016. If your FCRA registration took place before 15-Sep-2011, then you must file your renewal application by this date. This is required, even if you have already submitted paper application for renewal in old form FC-5.

After submitting the form, don't forget to pay the filing fees online. If you don't have internet banking, you can do this using a personal debit or credit card also. Once the fees are paid successfully, you will get an acknowledgment on-screen, as well as through email.

Sec. 35AC coming to an end

In 1992, the Government introduced sec. 35AC. This allowed NGOs and companies spending money on priority social welfare projects 100% deduction for the amounts spent. Many NGOs raised and spent large amounts of funds under this. In 2014-15, companies spent nearly Rs.2,600 crores on projects under sec. 35AC.

This provision is now being retired after 25 years of active service. No deductions will be permitted under this after 31-Mar-2017.

Important Notice on renewal FCRA registration

Ministry of Home Affairs ,FCRA Dept has announced the Renewal Process for FCRA registration on 14 Dec 2015. Renewal process as expected would be undertaken online. Thus who have not applied would need to apply online through FC3.

FCRA Renewal registration Last Date of application is 15th March 2016.

As per the Provisions contained in FCRA,2010 and FC rules,2011,all who were granted certificate of registration on or before 1.05.2011 were reqired to fill application for renewal on or before 31.10.2015.In view of launch of new website,it has now been decided to extend the last date for filling application for renewal of registration certificate to 15.03.2016.

Frequently Asked Questions for renewal of the FCRA

Q.1 Whether the certificate of registration is to be renewed?

Ans As per Section 16 of FCRA, 2010 every person who has been granted a certificate of registration under Section 12 thereof shall have such certificate renewed within six months before the expiry of the period of the certificate.

Q.2 What is the process for renewal of registration?

Ans. Association which desire to renew their registration certificate may apply online in Form FC-3 six months before the expiry of their existing registration.

Q.3 Whether the registration certificate granted to an association under the repealed FCRA, 1976 shall have to renew their registration?

Ans. Yes. An association granted registration under the repealed FCRA, 1976 shall be deemed to have been registered under FCRA, 2010 for a period of 5 years. Registration granted under FCRA, 1976 shall remain valid for a period of 5 years from the 1st May, 2011, i.e., up to the 30th April, 2016.

Q.4 When should an Association which has been granted registration under FCRA 2010 apply for renewal of registration?

Ans. In terms of Rule 12 (2) of FCRR, 2011, an Association registered under FCRA should apply in Form FC-3 for renewal of its registration six months before the date of expiry of the certificate of registration. An Association granted registration under FCRA, 2010, i.e., after 1st May, 2011, shall have to apply for renewal of registration six months before the date of expiry of the validity of its certificate of registration.

Q.5 When should an Association which has been granted registration under FCRA 1976 apply for renewal of registration?

Ans. Since registration granted to Associations under the repealed FCRA, 1976 shall be valid up to 30th April, 2016, such Associations should have applied for renewal of their registration six months before the date of expiry of the validity, that is, on or before 31st October, 2015. However, consequent to launch of new website, the last date for filing online application for renewal has been fixed as 15.03.2016.

Q.6 What are the documents to be uploaded for renewal of registration?

Ans. Signature of Chief Functionary, seal of the association, registration certificate of the association Memorandum of Association/ Trust Deed, Self certified copy of registration are to be uploaded for renewal of registration.

Q.7 What happens if the association does not apply for renewal of registration?

Ans. The existing registration under FCRA, 2010, will cease from the date of completion of the period of five years from the date of grant of registration. In such a case, the association has to apply afresh for grant of registration.

( Information Taken On the Ministry Website)

Important Links Related to FCRA

https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/index.aspx

Small Scale Projects

The German Diplomatic and Consular Missions in India operate a program which enables them to provide direct financial assistance to Indian NGOs and religious institutions for the implementation of small-scale projects for the benefit of disadvantaged groups of society.

This program is funded by the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin and is implemented through German Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad.

The German Consulate General in Chennai annually disposes of a fixed budget for the support of small, but self-contained projects, located in the Consulate’s jurisdiction, which consists of Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Telangana and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The program will focus primarily on the empowerment of women and girls. Projects that cover aspects of waste management, energy efficiency or environmental issues will be considered if their implementation contributes to the above mentioned goals.

General Guidelines for Small-scale projects and Procedure

Please pay attention to the following requirements for your application:

· The implementing agency must be an experienced, qualified and reliable organization, preferably a non-governmental organization (NGO) registered under the Societies Registration Act, or a religious institution. The organization must be registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

· Project proposals have to be accompanied by at least 3 competitive quotations/ cost estimates (in Rupees) for each item to be purchased /constructed from the grant.

· Incomplete applications (i.e. lacking detailed description of the project, lacking compulsory quotations etc.) cannot be taken into account.

· The project has to be completed within six months after approval and before the end of November 2016.

· The implementing agency does also have to contribute financially to the project and has to be in a position to finance all upcoming follow-up/ running costs for a period of at least 2 future years.

· Overhead costs (personnel, administrative, travel and other running costs) of the implementing agency or the project itself cannot be supported.

· Under German law it is not possible to finance a project which is already
co-sponsored by any other organization, which already receives contributions from the German Federal Budget (e.g. European Union, United Nations etc.).

· In order to be considered for possible funding in 2016, project proposals need to be submitted to the German Consulate in Chennai in original by March 15th, 2016. Application forms can be downloaded on the link below. Application needs to be signed by two authorized persons.

· Applications received by E-Mail will not be considered.

After you have submitted your application

· Eligible projects will usually be selected for towards the end of April 2016, with regard to the focal area mentioned before (empowerment of women and girls)

· During the selection process project officers of this Embassy will contact the institution which applied for a grant for a field visit. Please note that such field visits do not automatically result in approving of the project proposal.

· After a decision in favor of a project, an allocation agreement will have to be concluded and signed between German Embassy and the implementing agency/NGO.

· Disbursement of funds will not take place before major project contents have been realized. Furthermore, funds can only be released upon presentation of original invoices.

· The implementing agency is further required to submit a final report on the project and its impacts on the beneficiaries, as well as a breakdown of expenses immediately after conclusion of the project.

· The Consulate will then visit the project and check its implementation

For application links please visit: http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/03__Chennai/03__07/Small_20Scale_20Projects.html

Latest Updates FCRA – Quarterly Return

Recently FCRA department has updated website and integrated quarterly return tab. Now every NGO has to file a intimation of quarterly receipts of FCRA. Currently Quater – October 2015 to December 2015 is open. So fill this form and submit to FCRA. See the screenshot below.

Steps to be followed :

Step 1 – Click on the link shown in the above image.

Step 2 – Login with you user id and password

Step 3 – After login,, first screen is your NGO info page. Click on the last link stating quarterly intimation.

Step 4 – Read all the instruction carefully.

Step 5 – Quarterly Intimation Tab – Select the quarter and entered the total fcra amount received during the quarter. Click Next.

Step 6 – Donorwise Detail Tab – Enter the donor details as per the below screenshot.




Step 7 – Final Submit – Check all the details again and then, Final Submit.

Deadline :

As such in FCRA amendments rule quarterly details should be updated within 15 days of quarter end. However for this quarter Oct to Dec 2015, update all the information as early as possible.

Link: https://fcraonline.nic.in/fc_qtrfrm_report.aspx

Quarterly disclosure for organizations not having their own websites

As mentioned in an earlier post *, all FCRA registered / prior-permission entities have to disclose FCRA funds received on their official websites. However in case of organisations which do not maintain any official website, FCRA Dep. has now come to their rescue by asking them to file quarterly returns on FCRA website.

This is how it works. An NGO wanting to post its quarterly details of FCRA funds rec’d should log on to online website of FCRA Dept. https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/index.aspx . Using its user id and password, organizations can post the quarterly return on FCRA website within 15 days of the quarter end.

Information to be posted consist of following:

· Name of the donor

· Type of Donor, i.e. individual or institutional,

· Address of the Donor

· Purpose (select out of options like economical, social, cultural, religious, etc)

· Amount of grant received

The above is for your information and necessary action.


*Mandatory Disclosure on Website

Annual audited FCRA accounts
Rule 13 (a): Earlier NGOs receiving more than Rs 1 crore were required to put up a summary of receipts & payments on their website, however the amended rule requires that all NGOs to display audited FCRA accounts including Balance Sheet, Income & Expenditure & Receipts & Payments account for a financial year within 9 months of the year-end. Considering 9 month period ended on 31st December and the rules have been amended effective 14th Dec 2015, there is a school of thought which states that NGOs should display their FCRA accounts on their website by 31st December 2015.

Quarterly donor receipts

 
Rule 13 (b): All NGOs receiving Foreign Contribution are required to disclose on quarterly basis following information:

. Donor-wise details of FC amounts received in its designated account as well as the date of receipt.

The above information is to be disclosed within 15 days of the quarter-end. Considering these rules were notified on 14th Dec 2015, this information is will become due for 31stDecember quarter and should be on the website by 15th January 2016.

In view of the above amendments, we urge all NGOs receiving FC to display the above information on their official websites, at the earliest. Please do note the above amendments are applicable to all NGOs registered under FCRA or having prior permission, irrespective of the amount received.

‘Greenpeace’s registration cancelled due to violation of laws’

NEW DELHI, Mar 1:

The FCRA registration of Greenpeace India was cancelled for alleged violation of laws, including false declaration about foreign contribution, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said inspection of accounts and records of Greenpeace India, was conducted on the basis of inputs that provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010 were being violated.

During the inspection, he said, a number of violations were noticed, including transfer of foreign contribution to other than FCRA-designated bank accounts, under reporting and repeatedly mentioning incorrect amount of foreign contribution received, thus violating Section 33 of the FCRA 2010.

Under Section 33 of FCRA, a person is liable for action if he or she knowingly-(a) gives false intimation under sub-section. (c) of section 9 or section 18; or (b) seeks prior permission or registration by means defraud, false representation or concealment of material fact.

The other violations by the NGO include incurring more than 50 per cent of foreign contribution on administrative expenditure, foreign NGO funding legal costs not only of bail but also of writ petitions of Indian NGOs and their activists, he said.

“After serving show cause notice and providing reasonable opportunity, registration of Greenpeace India was cancelled on September 2, 2015,” Rijiju said in a written reply.

Replying to another question, the minister said registration of 4,138 NGOs was cancelled in July 2012 and those of 10,117 in March 2015 after issuance of show cause notices to such associations and giving them adequate opportunity.

After inspections and scrutiny of accounts for serious violations, 17 cases were referred to CBI and 10 to state police for further investigation and prosecution.

Accounts of 23 NGOs have been frozen and 20 NGOs were prohibited from receiving foreign contribution.

In 2014, penalty amounting to Rs 5.20 crore was imposed on 341 NGOs for late or non-submission of mandatory annual returns and Rs 51.99 lakh on 24 NGOs for receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution without obtaining registration of prior permission under the FCRA, Rijiju added. (PTI)

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/greenpeaces-registration-cancelled-due-to-violation-of-laws

Inviting nominations for ‘Public Health Champion Awards 2016’ on behalf of WHO Country Office for India

Dear Sir/Madam,

World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for India intends to recognize efforts of both, individual(s) and institution(s) who have made an outstanding contribution to public health through advocacy for and involvement in impactful health policies, strategies and programmes with proven public health achievements and substantial improvement in health outcomes with equity in the country.

The awards comprise two categories:
(i) Sustained contribution to the field of public health, and
(ii) Innovation

The awards will be for both, individuals as well as institutions, in each of the two categories. An individual or organization can nominate self or others.
To know more about the announcement visit the link: http://ngobox.org/WHO/

For nominations, please visit the link: http://ngobox.org/WHO/nominations.php

The last day for sending the nominations is 14th March 2016 by 11.59 PM IST.

The final nominations will be reviewed by a core group at the WHO Country Office for India.

The awards ceremony will be held in the first week of April.

All nominations are accepted online only and the process of online application and preliminary verification is handled by NGOBOX.

We request you to forward this email to professionals/organizations in your circle to help us reach out to them.

Warm regards,

On behalf of
WHO Country Office for India

Team NGOBOX
phc2016@ngobox.org

Citi Foundation's Pathways to Progress Global Youth Initiative Expands to India with the 2016 India Innovation Grant Program

Who can apply?

Invites proposals from registered NGOswith a minimum three year track record


· Registered not-for-profit entities,such as a Society, Trust, Section25/8 Company

· Registered with the Ministry ofHome Affairs under the FCRAregulation

· Set up for at least three years andhave a consistent track recordover three financial years in India

How to apply

· Applicants must email theirinitial proposal by March 25,2016 to corporatecitizenship@citi.com

· Shortlisted applicants will benotified and requested to submitfull proposals


· Up to INR130 million available as grants for innovative programs that create economic opportunities for low-income young people

· Program is part of Pathways to Progress, the Citi Foundation’s approach to prepare young people with career readiness tools and opportunities


The Citi Foundation’s third edition of its India Innovation Grant Program (IIGP) this year aims to identify leading programs that will help young people, aged between 16-25years old, build an entrepreneurial mindset, acquire leadership, financial and workplace skills, and begin to engage in the formal economy through a first job.

Through the 2016 IIGP, up to INR 130 million will be available in grant funding to NGOs working in the area of youth economic opportunities across India.

The 2016 IIGP is part of Pathways to Progress, Citi Foundation’s global initiative to prepare young people with the careerreadiness tools and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s economy.

Pathways to Progress is comprised of programs, research, and partnerships that help youth build an entrepreneurial mindset,acquire leadership, financial and workplace skills, and begin to engage in the formal economy through a first job.

The Citi Foundation’s India Innovation Grant Program, a first-of-its- kind initiative in India, was launched in 2014 to encourage non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop innovative and sustainable financial education and inclusion models. The programis supportive of India’s national agenda to spur financial inclusion by instilling the habit of savings amongst low income populations.

Now in its third year, this year’s program will expand to focus on yet another national agenda, which is the skilling of youth acrossthe country, to prepare them for and connect them with economic opportunities, which in turn, will propel economic progress andinclusion in India.

Citi India Chief Executive Officer Pramit Jhaveri said, “Citi India is extremely proud of the impact and reach of the India InnovationGrant Program through its earlier editions. This year, in alignment with the Government of India's ‘Skill India’ initiative, which aims to train 400 million youth by 2022, the India Innovation Grant Program seeks to address the creation of economic opportunities foryouth in the country.

“With more than 50% of our population under the age of 25 years, attempting to skill and train India’s youth is a massiveopportunity. The need is for programs that are innovative in approach, yet scalable in impact, so that they will act to augment theefforts of the government,’ said Mr Jhaveri.

The Citi Foundation’s 2016 IIGP will award grants to NGOs in India that employ innovative approaches to create sustainable and long term opportunities for livelihoods for young people in low income communities across the country.

Of particular interest are programs that:

· Prepare young people for and connect them to economic opportunities, including but not limited to:

o Entrepreneurship training

o Employment access

o Leadership, financial and workplace skill development

· Focus on urban low-income youth

· Use technology and innovative approaches to expand delivery and lower the costs of serving more low income young people

· Focus on sustainable, scalable models with measurable impact

· Engage stakeholders to promote the adoption of new national approaches


In its previous edition, the 2015 India Innovation Grant Program invested INR 130 million (USD2 million) in eight innovative and sustainable financial education and capability programs aimed to benefit more than 300,000 individuals in the country through non-profit organizations including American India Foundation Trust, Grameen Foundation,Kalighat Society for Development Facilitation, MelJol, Navya Disha, Swadhaar FinAccess, Anudip Foundation for Social Welfare and Pratham Education Foundation.

In India, the Citi Foundation’s overall grant program is focused on addressing the socio-economic challenges with innovative and strategic grants, which will help enhance andfacilitate financial inclusion, promote responsible financial behavior via increased financial literacy and create new income-generating opportunities in low incomecommunities. Since 1999, the Citi Foundation has supported more than 35 non-profit organizations, benefiting an estimated 2.5 million individuals across India.

About Citi:

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers,corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking,securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi| LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About Citi India:

Citi India offers consumers including Non Resident Indians, corporates and financial institutions, a comprehensive range of financial products and services. These includeretail banking, mortgage finance, credit cards, personal loans, corporate and investment banking, foreign exchange, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealthmanagement. Citi India operates 45 retail branches in 28 cities and serves customers ranging from India's top corporate houses, multinationals operating in India, SME's, self-employed entrepreneurs, households and individuals. Citi India has leading market shares in a number of areas in India's banking industry, including credit cards, distributionof mutual funds, e-commerce banking, investment banking and foreign exchange. In addition, Citi India through its network of Citi Service Centres has been a leadingoffshoring unit for Citigroup globally, providing employment opportunities in the areas of technology, processing, analytics and financial processes.

Citi India is also committed to enabling socio-economic progress in the communities where we live and work. Since 1999, Citi Foundation through its partnerships, has helpedfurther the financial inclusion agenda through education, and has created livelihood opportunities for youth and marginalized families in India. In addition, Citi has beencommitted to preserving India’s heritage through its programs focused on art and culture. These efforts, over the past 16 years, have benefited more than 2.5 million peopleacross the country. Citi India continues to promote an inclusive and responsible society through its various CSR initiatives.

Additional information may be found at: www.citibank.co.in | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citiindia

About Citi Foundation:

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increasefinancial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy”approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com

For News Release background on Citigroup Inc. click here

Media Contact Details
Debasis Ghosh, debasis.ghosh@citi.com, +91 (22) 61756385
George Koshy, george.koshy@citi.com, +91-9819808042

Source: http://businesswireindia.com/news/news-details/citi-foundations-pathways-progress-global-youth-initiative-expands-india-with-2016-india-innovation-grant-program/47401

Are big opportunities in CSR being missed?

Are Corporate Social Responsibility funds realizing and achieving sustainable social change to benefit the underserved? The answers are mixed.

By definition, a budget is made within constraints posed by revenues. But it can create a framework that encourages others to step in where the exchequer can’t.

In that context, are Corporate Social Responsibility funds realizing and achieving sustainable social change to benefit the underserved? The answers are mixed. Let’s look at education, a stated priority of most CSR entities. In reality, funds are often deployed in a one-off, short-term and inputs-oriented manner, like the adoption of a few neighbourhood schools. This fragmented approach has had minimal impact on the state of public education across the country. So, how could CSR funds significantly step up the game? Here are just two of many opportunities that exist.

State-wide transformation of government schools

The bold and visionary “systemic change” initiative underway in Haryana is a great example.

The state has launched its Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) in all 15,000-plus government primary schools in the state serving 22.5 lakh students, with progress measured by positive changes in learning level outcomes. A long-term, integrated and comprehensive effort, it started with a strategic blueprint developed by the top leadership of the State for a multi-year, multi-stakeholder project to bring about systemic and sustainable improvement. The state wisely avoided the common tendency of ‘handing over’ a few schools at a time to different NGOs, foundations or CSR entities. Unlike drilling tube wells or paving a stretch of road, education quality cannot be sustainably improved one school at a time without engaging the entire state machinery.

In Haryana, a completely revamped governance process has institutionalized data-driven accountability up and down the education hierarchy, introduced scientific learning level assessments of students, implemented a Management Information System (MIS) to deliver actionable data to teachers and administrators while freeing up time to focus on actual teaching, rolled out large scale remedial to close learning gaps and revamped teacher training institutes (DIETs) to produce skilled teachers. CSR funds need to support this type of fundamental transformation of education systems across the nation.

Partnership Schools Fund

The concept of Partnership Schools – turning around struggling government schools with falling enrolment by enlisting high quality NGOs to provide school management – has been tried successfully in pockets to deliver quality education, reversing the outflow and prompting the return of students back to these government schools (some have waitlists!).

CSR funds can respond to growing interest in this model through an aggregated national fund that is professionally managed to expand such public-private partnerships (PPP).

Such a fund would attract top quality school operators from India and abroad, collaborating with state or city governments to provide a scalable, quality education option. To promote such partnerships, the Education Alliance has been established by a coalition of strategic funders to provide a “best-practices” framework for governments and NGOs.

A PPP fund would allow CSR to avoid multiple, relatively fragmented donations and instead deploy money strategically to support an important national movement.

Source; http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/are-big-opportunities-in-csr-being-missed/article8289957.ece

Government-NGO distrust deepening

If the distrust between the government and civil society organisations has to be diminished, then reforms are the need of the hour

PM Modi at a rally in Odisha, where he claimed that there is an effort to defame the govt by NGOs because NDA has been asking for accountability on the foreign funds received by them. Photo: AP/PTI

New Delhi: Prime Minster Narendra Modi linked the ongoing unrest in the country to certain people who are opposed to a chaiwala becoming the Prime Minister, referring to his humble past as a tea vendor.

There is concerted effort to defame and destabilize the government by black marketers and non government organisations (NGOs) because the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has been asking for accountability from such organisations on the foreign funds received by them, according to a YouTube clip uploaded on the Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s official channel. He was addressing a farmer rally in Baragarh, Odisha on Sunday.

“These days you may have observed, some people day and night keep attacking me. Some people are occupying themselves with this task. It is because, first they are just not able to digest that a chaiwala has become Prime Minister,” he said.

In June 2014, a “leaked” Intelligence Bureau report alleged that some civil society organisations (CSOs), funded by international agencies, were hindering India’s economic growth with their anti-national activities.

Ever since, a drive to restrict foreign funding to such CSOs—initiated under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA II) government in 2010 with the amendment to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010—had seemingly picked up pace under the current government.

In 2015, the home ministry notified that the registration of 8,975 organizations who came under FCRA, 2010 was to be cancelled for non-submission of returns for the period 2009-10 to 2011-12. This had been done after issuing show cause notices to around 10,500 defaulting organisations.

After the 2015 order, no new organisation has been brought under investigation.

The high profile cases like Greenpeace India, Sabrang Trust are currently under litigation and Ford Foundation was removed from the ambit of the FCRA and put under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (Fema).

With the Prime Minister directly linking foreign funding received by some NGOs to the ongoing unrest in the country, the importance of regulating the not-for-profit sector and addressing the challenges faced by them become even more critical and immediate.

In a 10 part series in June 2015, Mint showcased the importance of such an exercise, and if the distrust between the government and CSOs has to be diminished, then reforms are the need of the hour.

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/JguEQTdy3IhtfqxLjC8diL/GovernmentNGO-distrust-deepening.html