Home ministry gets more than Rs 5 crore in kitty as penalty from erring NGOs | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Home ministry gets more than Rs 5 crore in kitty as penalty from erring NGOs

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | By
Oct 22, 2017 12:51 PM IST

According to the FCRA rules, slabs have been put in place for penalty to be paid for non-furnishing of FCRA return till December 31 every year.

The Union home ministry has collected more than Rs 5 crore so far this year as penalty from NGOs which have failed to file their annual income and expenditure statements on time, an official said.

NGOs that are dependent on foreign funding like Greenpeace have come under increasing scrutiny since the revised FCRA was passed in 2010.(File for representation)
NGOs that are dependent on foreign funding like Greenpeace have come under increasing scrutiny since the revised FCRA was passed in 2010.(File for representation)

Filing of annual returns by NGOs within the stipulated date is mandatory under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The NGOs had to pay the penalty after they were told that their registration under the FCRA would be cancelled if they do not file the annual returns with the fine, the home ministry official said.

Till September end, the ministry has collected more than Rs 5 crore from these NGOs, the official said.

According to the FCRA rules, slabs have been put in place for penalty to be paid for non-furnishing of FCRA return till December 31 every year.

Up to 90 days from the passing of the December 31 deadline, a penalty of 2% of the amount received during the financial year or Rs 10,000, whichever is higher, has to be paid.

From 90 to 180 days after the passing of the deadline, a penalty of 3 per cent of the amount received or Rs 20,000, whichever is higher, has to be paid.

After 180 days from the passing of the deadline, a penalty of 5 per cent of the amount received or Rs 50,000, whichever is higher, with Rs 500 per day of the delay, has to be paid.

The Narendra Modi government, which has tightened the rules for NGOs, has already cancelled registration of more than 10,000 non-governmental organisations in the last three years for alleged non-filing of annual returns as mandated in the FCRA.

In addition, renewal of more than 1,300 NGOs have been denied for alleged violation of various provisions of the FCRA.

The home ministry has also asked nearly 6,000 NGOs to open their accounts in banks having core banking facilities and furnish details for real-time access to security agencies in case of any discrepancy.

The move was initiated after it was detected that many NGOs have their bank accounts in cooperative banks or state government-owned apex banks or banks which do not have core banking facilities.

Last November, the government had directed more than 11,000 NGOs to file applications for renewal of registration by February 28, and many of them had failed to do so.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on Election 2024, India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On