Lok Sabha Question No. 1260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-09
Subject: Renewal of FCRA Certificate
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose, Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1260

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 20, 1942 (SAKA)

RENEWAL OF FCRA CERTIFICATE

1260. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE: SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  total  number  of  Non-Governmental  Organisations  (NGOs)  whose Foreign  Contribution  Act,  2010  (FCRA)  certificate  has  not  been  renewed since 2014, year-wise;

(b) the total number of NGOs whose FCRA certificate has been suspended since 2014, year-wise;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  representations  from  NGOs  in reference to the Rules framed under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2020 being too restrictive and stringent;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is considering relaxing or reviewing any of its provisions; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 came into force from 1 st   May, 2011 and registration certificates of all NGOs remained valid for another  five  years i.e. up to 30 th  April, 2016.   Renewal of FCRA certificate

became  due  with  effect  from  1 st   May,  2016  onwards.  Therefore,  the requisite information year-wise is as under:

| Year                    | Number of FCRA Certificates not renewed   |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2014                    | Not applicable                            |
| 2015                    | Not applicable                            |
| 2016                    | 5347                                      |
| 2017                    | 559                                       |
| 2018                    | 1010                                      |
| 2019                    | 974                                       |
| 2020 (Up to 31.12.2020) | 463                                       |

(b): The  total number  of NGOs  whose  FCRA  certificate  has  been suspended since 2014, year-wise is as hereunder:

| Year                    |   Number of NGOs whose FCRA Certificates were suspended under section 13 of the FCRA, 2010 |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2014                    |                                                                                         02 |
| 2015                    |                                                                                         03 |
| 2016                    |                                                                                         01 |
| 2017                    |                                                                                         00 |
| 2018                    |                                                                                        233 |
| 2019                    |                                                                                         05 |
| 2020 (Up to 31.12.2020) |                                                                                         25 |

(c) & (d): Several representations seeking changes in the  amended Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 have been received.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1260 FOR 09.02.2021

(e) & (f): In order to facilitate smooth transition to the amended regime under  the  FCRA,  2010,  the  following  relaxations  have  been  already provided:

- (a) Final  date  for  Mandatory  submission  of  Annual  Reports  (under section 18 of the FCRA,  2010)  has  been  extended  from  31 st December, 2020 up to 30 th  June, 2021.
- (b) For opening of 'FCRA account' in the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, the last date has been extended up to 31.03.2021.
- (c) The  validity  of  FCRA  registration  certificates  expiring  during  the period between 29 th  September, 2020 and 31 st  May, 2021 has been extended up to 31 st  May, 2021.

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