NGOs seek extension of FCRA licence validity till Dec 31

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have petitioned the Union home ministry to extend the deadline for renewing their licence under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). NGOs require an FCRA licence to receive money from foreign donors and they have to submit annual account statements to the Foreigners Division in the ministry of home affairs.

The renewal process started in April this year and FCRA-registered NGOs were asked to apply forrenewal of their licences by June 30.

?While many NGOs have been able to secure their renewals, a sizeable number of FCRA-registered organisations still await an inkling of communication from the FCRA department,? said Voluntary Action India (VANI), which works as an umbrella organisation for other non-profits, in a press release.

Earlier, the ministry had extended the validity of licences expiring on September 30 to October 31. In their petition, the NGOs have asked the government to extend the validity to December 31.

?Non-disbursement of renewals may result in halt of major development projects as many voluntary organisations are involved in various flagship programme of the central government,? said VANI.

Business Standard tried to contact senior officials in the ministry for a comment but phone calls and text messages remained unanswered till the time of going to press.

According to some news reports, the Centre has made it mandatory for the foreigners division to seek security clearancefrom both the Intelligence Bureau and Research & Analysis Wing before granting approval to the NGOs.

The step was taken following the alleged misuse of foreign funds by the Zakir Naik-run Islamic Research Foundation. The Union government has tried to tighten conditions around NGOs, which were allegedly carrying anti-government and anti- national activities in the name of civil rights.

Source: http://indiatropes.com/IndiaTropes/NewsDetailsServlet?A6789DVVE45R456DJFTSY=11205

Environment NGOs Hail Deal to Limit Powerful Greenhouse Gases

KIGALI, RWANDA: Environment NGOs from both India and abroad today welcomed the historic Kigali Agreement to phase down "super greenhouse gases" known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), saying it reflects the emerging reality of the world.

Hailing the agreement reached in Kigali to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by amending the Montreal Protocol, Director General of New Delhi-based Advocacy group Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain said the Kigali Amendment reflected the principal of common but differentiated responsibility.

"It also reflects the emerging reality of a world in which China will have to take more and more responsibility to solve global environmental issues," she said in a statement.

Climate expert and CSE Deputy Director General, Chandra Bhushan, said India went with a clear strategy and a proactive agenda to enhance the overall environmental ambition of the deal and to protect the nation's economic interests.

Praising the Indian negotiation team, he said, the amendment finally agreed to not only protects India's economic interests, but also doubles the climate benefit compared to the previous Indian proposal.

"It will avoid HFC emissions equivalent to 70 billion tonne of CO2," he said.

The amendment is a critical step towards limiting warming and the single biggest climate action of the year, just weeks before leaders meet in Morocco for international climate talks.

The amendment establishes three different timetables for all developed and developing countries to freeze and then reduce their production and use of HFCs.

Developed countries agreed to make their first HFC cuts by 2019. Developed nations have committed to provide additional funds through the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund.

China, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, and more than 100 other developing countries have committed to freeze their HFC production and use by 2024, and make further reductions thereafter.

India, Gulf States, and Pakistan have agreed to make HFC reductions on a slower track.

Climate Action Network (CAN) said the results from Kigali on HFCs as well as the recent outcome on aviation emissions shows that governments are taking the objective of the Paris Agreement seriously.

"CAN hopes that countries will accelerate national ambition over time but soon enough to give a fighting chance for the world to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 C," it said in a statement.

"To aid the switch to newer and safer natural refrigerants, sufficient funding will be required through the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund to enable poorer countries to invest in the new technology. It is vital that developed countries also share their progress on technological breakthroughs," said Benson Ireri, Senior Policy Advisor, Christian Aid.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/environment-ngos-hail-deal-to-limit-powerful-greenhouse-gases-1474548

Updating of NGO information

All existing NGOs/VOs are requested to update their information in the NGO-PS portal with Aadhaar & PAN Numbers of their Board members/Office bearers, if not done already


Please visit: NGOdarpan at: http://ngo.india.gov.in

http://niti.gov.in/content/ngo-darpan

The NGO-Partnership System (NGO-PS) Portal (NGO-DARPAN) was earlier maintained by erstwhile Planning Commission, which has been replaced by the NITI Aayog w.e.f. 1st January, 2015. The Portal, therefore, is being maintained at present under the aegis of NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog invites all Voluntary Organizations (VOs)/ Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to Sign Up on the Portal.

VOs/NGOs play a major role in the development of the nation by supplementing the efforts of the Government. This portal enables VOs/NGOs to enrol centrally and thus facilitates creation of a repository of information about VOs/NGOs, Sector/State wise. The Portal facilitates VOs/NGOs to obtain a system generated Unique ID, as and when signed. The Unique ID is mandatory to apply for grants under various schemes of Ministries/Departments/Governments Bodies.


Click here(link is external) to visit NGO Darpan Portal