FCRA Department has recently suspended the FCRA registration of an NGO. The suspension letter (available at MHA web-site) lists some notable worry-points:
1. Transfer of foreign contribution for activities outside India
2. Paying fees / expenses for foreigners who were visiting India on a tourist visa
3. Depositing FC directly into a utilization bank account
4. Transfer of funds between two utilization bank accounts
5. Transfer of funds between local and FCRA bank accounts
6. Organizing dharna / rally with 'political hue'
7. Advocacy / lobbying with MPs
The legal basis for some of these (1, 2, 6, 7) is not very clear, and the charges may not hold up in a court. However, it would be wise to keep in line till there is a clear court order on disputed issues.
Ref: 1. Suspension letter dated 31-May-16
(https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/PDF_Doc/LawyersCollective_01062016.PDF)
1. Transfer of foreign contribution for activities outside India
2. Paying fees / expenses for foreigners who were visiting India on a tourist visa
3. Depositing FC directly into a utilization bank account
4. Transfer of funds between two utilization bank accounts
5. Transfer of funds between local and FCRA bank accounts
6. Organizing dharna / rally with 'political hue'
7. Advocacy / lobbying with MPs
The legal basis for some of these (1, 2, 6, 7) is not very clear, and the charges may not hold up in a court. However, it would be wise to keep in line till there is a clear court order on disputed issues.
Ref: 1. Suspension letter dated 31-May-16
(https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/PDF_Doc/LawyersCollective_01062016.PDF)
