NGO Consultant
Odisha NGO Consultancy Services
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
GST - Goods and Services Tax
Dear friends,
You may be aware that India Central Board of Excise and Customs (India Tax Authority) has introduced a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. Under the new regulations, businesses based in India are required to register for GST and have a GST registration number starting July 1st, 2017.
Please update your India-based business's with the GST registration
To know more about how you can enroll your business for GST with the Indian tax authorities, visit the website of the India Tax Authority
You may be aware that India Central Board of Excise and Customs (India Tax Authority) has introduced a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. Under the new regulations, businesses based in India are required to register for GST and have a GST registration number starting July 1st, 2017.
Please update your India-based business's with the GST registration
To know more about how you can enroll your business for GST with the Indian tax authorities, visit the website of the India Tax Authority
Connecting Nonprofits and Volunteers to Create a Culture of Service in India
Team Balika, a group of community volunteers who support a grassroots intiative called Educate Girls, won the Leader in Volunteer Engagement Award during the 4th edition of the iVolunteer Awards for their work to reduce the gender gap in education by spreading awareness for the importance of educating young girls in their village.
With seven offices in India and 350 nonprofit partners, iVolunteer is one of the largest affiliates in Points of Light's global network. Last year alone, the organization engaged more than 10,000 volunteers in service across 25 cities. However, it wasn't always that way.
iVolunteer was established as a solution to the challenges faced by Indian nonprofits in recruiting volunteers to serve their causes. Shalabh Sahai, co-founder and director of iVolunteer, explained that when the organization was founded in 2001, nonprofits worked in silos and, as a result, had trouble engaging volunteers – particularly middle-class citizens who had the resources to give back, but for whom volunteering was not a part of their culture.
"In the beginning, the idea was to found something which got people to volunteer, that would allow people to work with the nonprofits to lend a hand in all the good work they were doing," said Shalabh.
The result was the iVolunteer platform, which is the organization's online database of service opportunities that allows volunteers to search by keyword and pick projects that fit their interests.
"Over a period of time, we realized that simply putting together a platform would not work because volunteering itself was in a very infant stage and people did not understand NGO culture and NGOs did not understand how to engage the upcoming middle class," explained Shalabh.
To address these issues, iVolunteer put together a number of programs that would both help nonprofits appeal to volunteers and help volunteers understand the value and importance of giving back.
Though this type of programming is common among the members of the Points of Light network, iVolunteer is unique because it operates as a social enterprise rather than a nonprofit. Social enterprises apply commercial strategies to improving communities – making profits is as essential to their success as making an impact.
For iVolunteer, Shalabh explained, this structure was necessary because limited funding made scaling its services to support such a large community difficult.
"A lot of the work that we were doing was restricted by the funds that were available," said Shalabh. In responding to the recruitment difficulties that nonprofits faced and with "the ambitions we had as an organization, we could not be bound or limited by the funds that were made available."
Though the organization has come a long way in making volunteerism a part of Indian culture, when taking stock of their accomplishments in 2011 – one decade into their work – they found there was still a distinct lack of understanding among Indian citizens about why volunteer service is important.
Shalabh explained that, for example, taking time off from work to give back was often not permitted by employers. Furthermore, there was little to no recognition for the good work being done by volunteers across the country.
"If I want to volunteer today, none of my peers understand or appreciate that work, nor does my employer understand or appreciate that work," said Shalabh.
Indiability, an organization that helps change attitudes towards people with disabilities and empowers them to lead full, independent lives, received the Leader in Volunteer Engagement Award during the 3rd edition of the iVolunteer Awards.
In 2012, the organization instituted the iVolunteer Awards with the objective of spreading recognition and appreciation for the work that both volunteers and nonprofits were doing across the country and internationally (in partnership with VSO International, iVolunteer sends volunteers all around the world to participate in service projects).
With categories that recognize nonprofits, youth, employees and corporate volunteer programs, the iVolunteer Awards seeks to honor all types of volunteers. One award in particular, the Volunteer Hero Award, lifts up the recipients as heroes, helping to not only raise awareness for the work of the individual volunteers, but also reposition volunteerism as the pinnacle of community development in India.
The awards program has accomplished two things for iVolunteer. The first is identifying new benchmarks established by volunteers and nonprofits that others can use to measure their impact. The second is shedding light on new volunteer models and projects that are making an impact in a unique way.
One example is the Ability Foundation, recognized with an iVolunteer Award for their initiative in which disabled people teach life skills to non-disabled people in rural communities. This program completely challenges pre-conceived ideas of "the haves helping the have-nots," said Shalabh, additionally bringing pride to the families of the disabled persons and the individuals themselves.
Through robust programming and innovative initiatives, iVolunteer has uniquely adapted to the needs of volunteers and nonprofits in their community using a trial and error approach, while maintaining focus on the organization's central objective – engaging more individuals in service to their communities. This adaptability was central to its early function and development and, today, makes iVolunteer an invaluable asset to Indian nonprofits and volunteers alike.
Source: http://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/connecting-nonprofits-volunteers-create-culture-service-india
For more information please visit this links:
http://ivolunteer.in
http://www.indiafellow.org
With seven offices in India and 350 nonprofit partners, iVolunteer is one of the largest affiliates in Points of Light's global network. Last year alone, the organization engaged more than 10,000 volunteers in service across 25 cities. However, it wasn't always that way.
iVolunteer was established as a solution to the challenges faced by Indian nonprofits in recruiting volunteers to serve their causes. Shalabh Sahai, co-founder and director of iVolunteer, explained that when the organization was founded in 2001, nonprofits worked in silos and, as a result, had trouble engaging volunteers – particularly middle-class citizens who had the resources to give back, but for whom volunteering was not a part of their culture.
"In the beginning, the idea was to found something which got people to volunteer, that would allow people to work with the nonprofits to lend a hand in all the good work they were doing," said Shalabh.
The result was the iVolunteer platform, which is the organization's online database of service opportunities that allows volunteers to search by keyword and pick projects that fit their interests.
"Over a period of time, we realized that simply putting together a platform would not work because volunteering itself was in a very infant stage and people did not understand NGO culture and NGOs did not understand how to engage the upcoming middle class," explained Shalabh.
To address these issues, iVolunteer put together a number of programs that would both help nonprofits appeal to volunteers and help volunteers understand the value and importance of giving back.
Though this type of programming is common among the members of the Points of Light network, iVolunteer is unique because it operates as a social enterprise rather than a nonprofit. Social enterprises apply commercial strategies to improving communities – making profits is as essential to their success as making an impact.
For iVolunteer, Shalabh explained, this structure was necessary because limited funding made scaling its services to support such a large community difficult.
"A lot of the work that we were doing was restricted by the funds that were available," said Shalabh. In responding to the recruitment difficulties that nonprofits faced and with "the ambitions we had as an organization, we could not be bound or limited by the funds that were made available."
Though the organization has come a long way in making volunteerism a part of Indian culture, when taking stock of their accomplishments in 2011 – one decade into their work – they found there was still a distinct lack of understanding among Indian citizens about why volunteer service is important.
Shalabh explained that, for example, taking time off from work to give back was often not permitted by employers. Furthermore, there was little to no recognition for the good work being done by volunteers across the country.
"If I want to volunteer today, none of my peers understand or appreciate that work, nor does my employer understand or appreciate that work," said Shalabh.
Indiability, an organization that helps change attitudes towards people with disabilities and empowers them to lead full, independent lives, received the Leader in Volunteer Engagement Award during the 3rd edition of the iVolunteer Awards.
In 2012, the organization instituted the iVolunteer Awards with the objective of spreading recognition and appreciation for the work that both volunteers and nonprofits were doing across the country and internationally (in partnership with VSO International, iVolunteer sends volunteers all around the world to participate in service projects).
With categories that recognize nonprofits, youth, employees and corporate volunteer programs, the iVolunteer Awards seeks to honor all types of volunteers. One award in particular, the Volunteer Hero Award, lifts up the recipients as heroes, helping to not only raise awareness for the work of the individual volunteers, but also reposition volunteerism as the pinnacle of community development in India.
The awards program has accomplished two things for iVolunteer. The first is identifying new benchmarks established by volunteers and nonprofits that others can use to measure their impact. The second is shedding light on new volunteer models and projects that are making an impact in a unique way.
One example is the Ability Foundation, recognized with an iVolunteer Award for their initiative in which disabled people teach life skills to non-disabled people in rural communities. This program completely challenges pre-conceived ideas of "the haves helping the have-nots," said Shalabh, additionally bringing pride to the families of the disabled persons and the individuals themselves.
Through robust programming and innovative initiatives, iVolunteer has uniquely adapted to the needs of volunteers and nonprofits in their community using a trial and error approach, while maintaining focus on the organization's central objective – engaging more individuals in service to their communities. This adaptability was central to its early function and development and, today, makes iVolunteer an invaluable asset to Indian nonprofits and volunteers alike.
Source: http://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/connecting-nonprofits-volunteers-create-culture-service-india
For more information please visit this links:
http://ivolunteer.in
http://www.indiafellow.org
MANS PULLED UP FOR NOT DISCLOSING FUNDS FROM FOREIGN SHORES
Sadhana Trust also among thousands of others in list; but Hamid says they had already cancelled their registrations
In a first, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) and Sadhana Trust — non-governmental organisations (NGOs) founded by late rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar that crusade against superstition and social stigmas — seem to be on the wrong side of the law. Both are under the scanner of the Foreigners division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
On Tuesday, the MHA issued a showcause notice to MANS and Sadhana Trust, headquartered in Pune, along with 5,922 other NGOs all across the country, for failing to upload the annual return form since 2010. These NGOs may face cancellation of registration under FCRA and may not be able to accept foreign funding or donations anymore. They have to submit their clarification before July 23, failing which they will face cancellation of registration. Earlier in May, these NGOs had received notices to submit their missing annual returns pertaining to the financial years from 2010-11 to 2015-16 within a month, but they reportedly not heeded the warning.
MHA director Santosh Sharma, in his notice sent to MANS and Sadhana Trust, said, "We have issued show-cause notices, followed by regular email alerts and SMS alerts, to these organisations from May this year. The public notices were also served on MHA and PIB websites. However, despite sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 NGOs have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years."
Sharma asked the NGOs to furnish their replies through mail within 15 days of the notice, failing which it will be presumed that the associations have nothing to say in this regard. "Their FCRA registration will be cancelled after the expiry of 15 days without any further notice, in accordance with the provisions of FCRA, 2010," the notice added.
An officer from the state's home department told Mirror on condition of anonymity, "Apart from MANS and Sadhana Trust, there are other institutes from the state that are also part of this list, including Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Maharshi Vinod Research Foundation, Vidya Pratishthan, Pune Jilha Kushtrog Niyantran Samiti, Gokhale Institute among others."
But Dr Hamid Dabholkar, MANS general secretary and son of the late Dabholkar, vehemently denied being in the wrong, saying instead, "The entire list of MHA is based on old records which has not been updated, despite the cancellation of our registration four years ago. After constant allegations, we already informed the MHA and surrendered our FCRA registration in 2013 itself. We have not been receiving any foreign funds for four years now. The issue had been cleared by then state home minister R R Patil in the Assembly as well. However, the list has defamed us for no reason."
He continued, "No FCRA account exists in the name of MANS and neither have we renewed it. So far, we have sent six emails with documents to the MHA authorities so that they update the data. But there was no official response from them." When Mirror queried about the inclusion of Sadhana Trust in the list, Dabholkar said, "We do not know how the name of Sadhana Trust has appeared in the list because we never registered the trust under FCRA. This may be some other trust."
Despite Mirror's repeated attempts to reach Sharma to corroborate Dabholkar's claims, Sharma was unavailable for comment. Recently, over similar issues, the registration of several NGOs run by high-profile public figures like Teesta Setalvad had also been cancelled.
In a first, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) and Sadhana Trust — non-governmental organisations (NGOs) founded by late rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar that crusade against superstition and social stigmas — seem to be on the wrong side of the law. Both are under the scanner of the Foreigners division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
On Tuesday, the MHA issued a showcause notice to MANS and Sadhana Trust, headquartered in Pune, along with 5,922 other NGOs all across the country, for failing to upload the annual return form since 2010. These NGOs may face cancellation of registration under FCRA and may not be able to accept foreign funding or donations anymore. They have to submit their clarification before July 23, failing which they will face cancellation of registration. Earlier in May, these NGOs had received notices to submit their missing annual returns pertaining to the financial years from 2010-11 to 2015-16 within a month, but they reportedly not heeded the warning.
MHA director Santosh Sharma, in his notice sent to MANS and Sadhana Trust, said, "We have issued show-cause notices, followed by regular email alerts and SMS alerts, to these organisations from May this year. The public notices were also served on MHA and PIB websites. However, despite sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 NGOs have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years."
Sharma asked the NGOs to furnish their replies through mail within 15 days of the notice, failing which it will be presumed that the associations have nothing to say in this regard. "Their FCRA registration will be cancelled after the expiry of 15 days without any further notice, in accordance with the provisions of FCRA, 2010," the notice added.
An officer from the state's home department told Mirror on condition of anonymity, "Apart from MANS and Sadhana Trust, there are other institutes from the state that are also part of this list, including Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Maharshi Vinod Research Foundation, Vidya Pratishthan, Pune Jilha Kushtrog Niyantran Samiti, Gokhale Institute among others."
But Dr Hamid Dabholkar, MANS general secretary and son of the late Dabholkar, vehemently denied being in the wrong, saying instead, "The entire list of MHA is based on old records which has not been updated, despite the cancellation of our registration four years ago. After constant allegations, we already informed the MHA and surrendered our FCRA registration in 2013 itself. We have not been receiving any foreign funds for four years now. The issue had been cleared by then state home minister R R Patil in the Assembly as well. However, the list has defamed us for no reason."
He continued, "No FCRA account exists in the name of MANS and neither have we renewed it. So far, we have sent six emails with documents to the MHA authorities so that they update the data. But there was no official response from them." When Mirror queried about the inclusion of Sadhana Trust in the list, Dabholkar said, "We do not know how the name of Sadhana Trust has appeared in the list because we never registered the trust under FCRA. This may be some other trust."
Despite Mirror's repeated attempts to reach Sharma to corroborate Dabholkar's claims, Sharma was unavailable for comment. Recently, over similar issues, the registration of several NGOs run by high-profile public figures like Teesta Setalvad had also been cancelled.
We already informed MHA and surrendered our FCRA registration in 2013. We have not been receiving any foreign funds for four years now. However, the list has defamed us for no reason
Source: http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/mans-pulled-up-for-not-disclosing-funds-from-foreign-shores/articleshow/59550621.cms
Source: http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/mans-pulled-up-for-not-disclosing-funds-from-foreign-shores/articleshow/59550621.cms
Misappropriation of funds case: No SC relief for social activist Teesta Setalvad
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from social activist Teesta Setalvad for relief from charges of corruption and misappropriation of funds meant for rehabilitation of Gujarat riot victims.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from social activist Teesta Setalvad for relief from charges of corruption and misappropriation of funds meant for rehabilitation of Gujarat riot victims.
No relief has been given by the court to Teesta in the grave digging matter in which she is also an accused.
The apex court asked her to face trial in the case registered against her and her husband.
The top court said that the charge sheet had already been filed in the case.
The apex court earlier on July 5 reserved its order on Setalvad's plea regarding defreezing of her bank account and the NGOs.
A division bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar, was hearing the arguments.
The Gujarat Government told the apex court that Setalvad had allegedly spent NGO money meant for secular education for her personal purpose, including liquor consumption.
Setalvad, rejected the Gujarat Government's allegation and told the court that the state government was harassing her and wanted to paralyse her activities.
She told the apex court, "Only Rs. 7,850 were spent on liquor over seven years and the expenditure was approved by the Ford Foundation which donated money. Is it a crime?"
Teesta, her husband and the two NGOs - Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace - approached the apex court challenging the October 7, 2015, verdict of the Gujarat High Court, which had rejected their pleas for defreezing their personal bank accounts.
One of the residents of Gulberg Society had filed a complaint against Setalvad and others alleging that money was raised to make a museum at Gulberg Society in the memory of those killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, but it had not been utilised for the purpose.
The high court had upheld the verdict of a lower court in this regard observing that the probe was at a serious point. In their plea before the apex court, the petitioners have alleged that their accounts were "illegally freezed" without following the due process of law.
Source: http://zeenews.india.com/gujarat/misappropriation-of-funds-case-no-sc-relief-for-social-activist-teesta-setalvad-2022559.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from social activist Teesta Setalvad for relief from charges of corruption and misappropriation of funds meant for rehabilitation of Gujarat riot victims.
No relief has been given by the court to Teesta in the grave digging matter in which she is also an accused.
The apex court asked her to face trial in the case registered against her and her husband.
The top court said that the charge sheet had already been filed in the case.
The apex court earlier on July 5 reserved its order on Setalvad's plea regarding defreezing of her bank account and the NGOs.
A division bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar, was hearing the arguments.
The Gujarat Government told the apex court that Setalvad had allegedly spent NGO money meant for secular education for her personal purpose, including liquor consumption.
Setalvad, rejected the Gujarat Government's allegation and told the court that the state government was harassing her and wanted to paralyse her activities.
She told the apex court, "Only Rs. 7,850 were spent on liquor over seven years and the expenditure was approved by the Ford Foundation which donated money. Is it a crime?"
Teesta, her husband and the two NGOs - Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace - approached the apex court challenging the October 7, 2015, verdict of the Gujarat High Court, which had rejected their pleas for defreezing their personal bank accounts.
One of the residents of Gulberg Society had filed a complaint against Setalvad and others alleging that money was raised to make a museum at Gulberg Society in the memory of those killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, but it had not been utilised for the purpose.
The high court had upheld the verdict of a lower court in this regard observing that the probe was at a serious point. In their plea before the apex court, the petitioners have alleged that their accounts were "illegally freezed" without following the due process of law.
Source: http://zeenews.india.com/gujarat/misappropriation-of-funds-case-no-sc-relief-for-social-activist-teesta-setalvad-2022559.html
Show Cause Notice issued to 5922, NGOs could lose their FCRA Registration
FCRA Department has issued show cause notice to 5922 NGOs on 8th July 2017, who have not submitted their FCRA return for asking to why their FCRA Registration should not be cancelled. Please visit the following ling for list of all the NGOs:
https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/PDF_Doc/Show_Cause_08072017.pdf
https://fcraonline.nic.in/home/PDF_Doc/Show_Cause_List_08072017.pdf
Please check this list. In case your name appears on the list, file the missing annual returns immediately and also send a letter to MHA explaining why the return was missing. You have to sent your reply at following email-address before 22nd July 2017:
fcrarenewal-mha@gov.in
In case no replies are received by 22nd July, the Department will cancel your FCRA registration.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
MHA Serves FCRA Notices To Nehru Museum, IGNOU
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Indira Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and IGNOU are among nearly 6,000 organisations and NGOs which could lose their licence to receive foreign donations as they have not filed their annual returns for five consecutive years.
The Union Home Ministry has issued showcause notices to 5,922 organisations registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act for not filing annual income and expenditure records for five consecutive years. These NGOs could lose their licence to receive foreign donations if they fail to comply with the directives, officials said.
The notices were issued on July 8 and the NGOs have time till July 23 to reply.
In May this year, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity by the ministry to provide details of their income and expenses by June 14. These NGOs were told to submit their annual returns for five years — 2010-11 to 2014-15. The home ministry said in a circular that the NGOs could file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty.
"However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," a ministry circular said.
Source: http://www.indian24news.com/india/mha-serves-fcra-notices-to-nehru-museum-ignou/271804-news
The Union Home Ministry has issued showcause notices to 5,922 organisations registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act for not filing annual income and expenditure records for five consecutive years. These NGOs could lose their licence to receive foreign donations if they fail to comply with the directives, officials said.
The notices were issued on July 8 and the NGOs have time till July 23 to reply.
In May this year, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity by the ministry to provide details of their income and expenses by June 14. These NGOs were told to submit their annual returns for five years — 2010-11 to 2014-15. The home ministry said in a circular that the NGOs could file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty.
"However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," a ministry circular said.
Source: http://www.indian24news.com/india/mha-serves-fcra-notices-to-nehru-museum-ignou/271804-news
Centre issues show cause notice to nearly 6000 associations for cancellation of FCRA registration
Centre has issued show cause notice to five thousand 922 associations for cancellation of FCRA registration.
Home Ministry said, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, these associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice.
The Ministry yesterday asked them why their registration may not be cancelled for failure to upload their Annual Returns under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
All associations were given the opportunity to file their missing Annual Returns from 15th of May to 14th of last month without payment of penalty and late filing of Annual Returns. These returns pertained to financial year 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Source: http://asiannewsservice.in/en/business/centre-issues-show-cause-notice-to-nearly-6000-associations-for-cancellation-of-fcra-registration/
Home Ministry said, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, these associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice.
The Ministry yesterday asked them why their registration may not be cancelled for failure to upload their Annual Returns under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
All associations were given the opportunity to file their missing Annual Returns from 15th of May to 14th of last month without payment of penalty and late filing of Annual Returns. These returns pertained to financial year 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Source: http://asiannewsservice.in/en/business/centre-issues-show-cause-notice-to-nearly-6000-associations-for-cancellation-of-fcra-registration/
IGNOU, 5900 other NGOs could lose FCRA licence
The home ministry's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) division has issued showcause notices to 5,922 NGOs asking them whey their registration under FCRA should not be cancelled for not filing of mandatory annual income and expenditure records from 2010-11 to 2014-15, despite repeated notices.
TNN | Updated: Jul 11, 2017, 03.31 AM ISTIIT-Kanpur could lose its licence to receive foreign funding. NEW DELHI: Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, IGNOU, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur and Mayo College Central Council Society are among the nearly 6,000 NGOs and associations that could lose their licence to receive foreign funding for failing to file annual returns for five consecutive years.
The home ministry's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) division has issued showcause notices to 5,922 NGOs asking them whey their registration under FCRA should not be cancelled for not filing of mandatory annual income and expenditure records from 2010-11 to 2014-15, despite repeated notices.
Among the other prominent associations in the list are Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Delhi College of Engineering, Punjabi University (Patiala), Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Khadi Gramodyog Samiti and Oxfam Trust.
These associations were earlier told to submit their annual returns for five years — 2010-11 to 2014-15. The home ministry said in a circular that as a one-time measure, all NGOs were being given one month to file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty. Email and text message alerts were also sent to them regularly for one month beginning mid-May. "However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," the circular said. In May, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity to give details of their income and expenses. The associations have now been asked to furnish their replies, if any, by July 23, failing which it will be presumed that they have nothing to say and action as proposed will be taken by the home ministry as per FCRA, the circular said.
Source: https://in.peopleread.net/post/888558-ignou-5900-other-ngos-could-lose-fcra-licence
TNN | Updated: Jul 11, 2017, 03.31 AM ISTIIT-Kanpur could lose its licence to receive foreign funding. NEW DELHI: Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, IGNOU, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur and Mayo College Central Council Society are among the nearly 6,000 NGOs and associations that could lose their licence to receive foreign funding for failing to file annual returns for five consecutive years.
The home ministry's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) division has issued showcause notices to 5,922 NGOs asking them whey their registration under FCRA should not be cancelled for not filing of mandatory annual income and expenditure records from 2010-11 to 2014-15, despite repeated notices.
Among the other prominent associations in the list are Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Delhi College of Engineering, Punjabi University (Patiala), Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Khadi Gramodyog Samiti and Oxfam Trust.
These associations were earlier told to submit their annual returns for five years — 2010-11 to 2014-15. The home ministry said in a circular that as a one-time measure, all NGOs were being given one month to file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty. Email and text message alerts were also sent to them regularly for one month beginning mid-May. "However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," the circular said. In May, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity to give details of their income and expenses. The associations have now been asked to furnish their replies, if any, by July 23, failing which it will be presumed that they have nothing to say and action as proposed will be taken by the home ministry as per FCRA, the circular said.
Source: https://in.peopleread.net/post/888558-ignou-5900-other-ngos-could-lose-fcra-licence
6,000 NGOs Told To File Income Details Or Lose Foreign Funding Licence
Show cause notices were issued by the Home Ministry on July 8 and the non-governmental organisations or NGOs have time till July 23 to reply, otherwise they could lose foreign contribution licence
The NGOs have been requested to reply by July 23. Action will be taken by Home Ministry under FCRA
NEW DELHI: Some 6,000 non-governmental organisations or NGOs could lose their licence to receive foreign donations with the Home Ministry serving them show cause notices allegedly for not filing annual income and expenditure records for five consecutive years, an official said today.
The show cause notices were issued on July 8 and the NGOs have time till July 23 to reply. In May, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity by the Home Ministry to give details of their income and expenses by June 14.
These NGOs, registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA, which allows them to receive foreign donations, were told to submit their annual returns for five years -- 2010-11 to 2014-15.
The Home Ministry said in a circular that as a one-time measure, all NGOs were given an opportunity for one month to file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty.
Email and SMS alerts were also sent to them regularly for one month beginning mid-May, the official said. "However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," the circular said.
The NGOs have been requested to reply by July 23, failing which it will be presumed that they have nothing to say and action will be taken by the Home Ministry under the FCRA, it said.
According to the FCRA, renewal of registration for receiving foreign funds cannot be granted unless the annual returns are uploaded on the FCRA website by the organisation. Over 20,000 NGOs are registered under the FCRA.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-000-ngos-told-to-file-income-details-or-lose-foreign-funding-licence-1722881
The NGOs have been requested to reply by July 23. Action will be taken by Home Ministry under FCRA
NEW DELHI: Some 6,000 non-governmental organisations or NGOs could lose their licence to receive foreign donations with the Home Ministry serving them show cause notices allegedly for not filing annual income and expenditure records for five consecutive years, an official said today.
The show cause notices were issued on July 8 and the NGOs have time till July 23 to reply. In May, 18,523 NGOs were given a one-time opportunity by the Home Ministry to give details of their income and expenses by June 14.
These NGOs, registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA, which allows them to receive foreign donations, were told to submit their annual returns for five years -- 2010-11 to 2014-15.
The Home Ministry said in a circular that as a one-time measure, all NGOs were given an opportunity for one month to file their missing annual returns by June 14 without paying any penalty.
Email and SMS alerts were also sent to them regularly for one month beginning mid-May, the official said. "However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 associations have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice," the circular said.
The NGOs have been requested to reply by July 23, failing which it will be presumed that they have nothing to say and action will be taken by the Home Ministry under the FCRA, it said.
According to the FCRA, renewal of registration for receiving foreign funds cannot be granted unless the annual returns are uploaded on the FCRA website by the organisation. Over 20,000 NGOs are registered under the FCRA.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-000-ngos-told-to-file-income-details-or-lose-foreign-funding-licence-1722881
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