The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had cancelled Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of 10,020 associations last year, whereas in 2014, only 59 such registrations were scrapped, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the government has taken action only in cases where violations of FCRA have been reported. The Minister was responding to a query whether allegations of pick and choose policy in cancellation of FCRA registration have been reported and sought reaction of the government if so. Asked if United Nations Human Rights experts have expressed displeasure over the cancellation of FCRA registrations, Mr Rijiju said Ministry of External Affairs has communicated a write up containing certain views of the UN Human Rights experts on FCRA provisions. "The government is also aware about the one sided and biased views expressed by certain persons/associations regarding the cancellation of FCRA registration. MHA has clarified the position against these one-sided views earlier,'' the Minister said. Mr Rijiju said the MHA is mandated to regulate the receipt and utilization of foreign contributions by the association and action was taken against violators only after following due process as prescribed in the FCRA Act. Reasonable opportunities like furnishing of information to a standard questionnaire, inspection of records, issuing a show cause notice, personal appearances were given to violators before taking final decision regarding cancellation of FCRA registration, he added. "The cancellation orders are also subject to judicial scrutiny. Further, for maintaining transparency, all orders are placed on Ministry's website," he concluded.UNI RG SB/RSA 1641
Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20160719/2902574.html
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the government has taken action only in cases where violations of FCRA have been reported. The Minister was responding to a query whether allegations of pick and choose policy in cancellation of FCRA registration have been reported and sought reaction of the government if so. Asked if United Nations Human Rights experts have expressed displeasure over the cancellation of FCRA registrations, Mr Rijiju said Ministry of External Affairs has communicated a write up containing certain views of the UN Human Rights experts on FCRA provisions. "The government is also aware about the one sided and biased views expressed by certain persons/associations regarding the cancellation of FCRA registration. MHA has clarified the position against these one-sided views earlier,'' the Minister said. Mr Rijiju said the MHA is mandated to regulate the receipt and utilization of foreign contributions by the association and action was taken against violators only after following due process as prescribed in the FCRA Act. Reasonable opportunities like furnishing of information to a standard questionnaire, inspection of records, issuing a show cause notice, personal appearances were given to violators before taking final decision regarding cancellation of FCRA registration, he added. "The cancellation orders are also subject to judicial scrutiny. Further, for maintaining transparency, all orders are placed on Ministry's website," he concluded.UNI RG SB/RSA 1641
Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20160719/2902574.html
