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Current Affairs
Title : Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
Date : Nov 10, 2021
Description :
Topic à Money-Laundering related issues:
- Why in News:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had recently extended the deadline till December 31 for NGOs to apply for renewal of their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration certificates.
- The registration is mandatory for associations and NGOs to receive foreign funds.
- What is Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):
- Foreign funding of persons in India are regulated under FCRA Act and is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Act ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.
- Under the Act, organisations are required to register/renew themselves every five years.
- Registered NGOs can receive foreign contributions for five purposes — social, educational, religious, economic and cultural.
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020:
Prohibition to accept foreign contribution: The Act bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions.
- Transfer of foreign contribution: The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person not registered to accept foreign contributions.
- Aadhaar for registration: The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contribution, as an identification document.
- FCRA account: Foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
- Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes: Not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be defrayed for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010 the limit was 50%
- Surrender of certificate: The Act allows the central government to permit a person to surrender their registration certificate.
- Prelims Hot-Link:
- About FCRA
- About FCRA Amendment Act