In the chapter on Philanthropy, the Committee observed that PIOs/NRIs were eager to donate generously for worthy development causes in India. It further noted that the active encouragement of such donations by Chinese authorities at all levels had cleared the way for the flood of later investments by the Chinese Diaspora.
Conversely, the adverse experiences of many members of the Indian Diaspora in trying to send donations to India, instances of which were brought to the Committee's attention, had led to their diverting subsequent investments to other destinations.
The Committee found that a plethora of rules and regulations, indifference and even hostility of the government machinery frustrated the efforts of genuine PIO/NRl philanthropists.
Hence the Committee made several recommendations to deal with the problem as follows:
a) Highest priority to be accorded to the creation of a single point for contact with the Diaspora in the Office to handle Philanthropy/NGOs under the concerned Member of the proposed central Organisation dealing with the Diaspora.
b) Creation of a foundation to receive charitable and philanthropic donations in the proposed organisation, which should be allowed to generate funds through sponsorships from private individuals and corporations.
c) The early simplification of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976, to enable India to receive more remittances from PlOs for philanthropic activities. Donations from PIOs/NRIs should be placed either under an automatic route or under a Fast Track Mechanism, on the condition that these should be only for secular and developmental purposes and should be for PIO cardholders only.
{{/usCountry}}c) The early simplification of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976, to enable India to receive more remittances from PlOs for philanthropic activities. Donations from PIOs/NRIs should be placed either under an automatic route or under a Fast Track Mechanism, on the condition that these should be only for secular and developmental purposes and should be for PIO cardholders only.
{{/usCountry}}d) At the State level, empowerment of the offices to be created for dealing with the Diaspora - to resolve harassment cases, to process efficiently PIO/NRl applications for donations and assist/ support the implementation of such projects.
e) The central Organisation should have the facility to receive complaints regarding corruption. It may have representation from or a direct link with the Central Vigilance Commission.
f) The list of educational and health institutions eligible for automatic registration without enquiry should be expanded and updated in order to provide an additional stimulus to the health and educational services sector in India.
g) Exemption of customs duty on all donated materials, especially for national emergencies.
h) Raising of income tax exemptions on donations by overseas Indians from their incomes in India for developmental/ secular/ educational/ medical purposes -to 100%.
i) The provision that foreign contributions can be received in only one designated bank account and cannot be transferred to other parts of the country, should be liberalised. Registered NGOs should have the facility to transfer their funds for their activities anywhere in the country with only a reporting requirement to the RBl/Ministry of Home Affairs.
j) Programmes to encourage idealistic PIO/NRI students who wish to come to India for voluntary work, should be institutionalized.
k) To enable donation of services,- such as those of skilled doctors, scientists, teachers, architects, lawyers and engineers, a special fast track mechanism for recognition of degrees and qualifications should be instituted through the concerned bodies.
Consular and other Issues
The High Level Committee noted that the Indian Diaspora all over the world had substantially similar problems about their experiences in India, ranging from the ill-treatment, harassment and the demands for illegal gratification it encounters at the hands of consular, customs and immigration officials.
The poor facilities at airports high-lighted by the tragic death of a child in an ill-maintained escalator at the Indira Gandhi International Airport - warranting a determined effort aimed at their complete eradication.
During their stay, visitors face a number of problems during their interactions with other government agencies and public sector banks, including fraudulent encashment of fixed deposits in Indian banks using forged Powers of Attorney, demands for illegal gratification in offices issuing driving licences, etc.
The Committee accordingly made several concrete recommendations to the Government for urgent implementation to introduce transparency and efficiency in the handling of PIO/NRls. These included - the creation of separate immigration and customs counters for NRIs and PlOs; special in-service orientation courses and training of officials manning the immigration and customs counters at the international airports.
The panel also rcommended installation of closed circuit televisions to maintain surveillance at immigration, customs and security check-points and monitored by an independent agency (this acts as a very effective deterrent and also provides the means for verification of the culpability or otherwise of any accused official), and many other useful recommendations aimed at removing the possibilities of harassment.
Several measures to effectively prevent bank fraud, property fraud and marriage fraud were recommended. The Committee also recommended that the requirements of furnishing of Tax Clearance Certificate at the time of departure from India, in case the period of stay in India exceeded 120 days, and for registration with the police authorities if the duration of the visit exceeds 180 days - should be publicised by our Missions, and the period of stay in the former case should be increased to 180 days.