PTI, NEW DELHI: The Centre has suspended FCRA registration of 156 NGOs for six months for violation of rules, preventing them from receiving foreign funds, and revoked the restriction order imposed on 36 other organisations that compiled with the guidelines.
In a notification, the Home Ministry said the 156 NGOs have failed to comply with the order to open their accounts with 32 designated banks which follow the central government’s Public Financial Management System (PFMS), and contravened the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010 despite repeated directives.
“And whereas, in exercise of the power conferred by section 13 of the FCRA, pending consideration of their certificates, the central government has suspended the registration under the FCRA 2010 of the said associations for a period of one hundred and eighty days,” the notification said.
The Home Ministry also said 36 NGOs have compiled with its order and opened their bank accounts in PFMS-integrated banks and their suspension order has been revoked.
Suspension of the FCRA registration means the NGOs and entities cannot accept funding from abroad, an official said.
The FCRA 2010 provides for the regulation of acceptance of the foreign funds or foreign hospitality by certain individuals, associations, organisations and companies “to ensure that such contributions or hospitality is not being utilised for the activities detrimental to the national interest”, the ministry had said.
