Introduction
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 (FCRA) was enacted in the year 1976 with the prime objective of regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution and foreign hospitality by persons and associations working in the important areas of national life. The focus of this Act is to ensure that the foreign contribution and foreign hospitality is not utilized to affect or influence electoral politics, public servants, judges and other people working the important areas of national life like journalists, printers and publishers of newspapers, etc. The Act also seeks to regulate flow of foreign funds to voluntary organizations with objective of preventing any possible diversion of such funds towards activities detrimental to the national interest and to ensure that such individuals and organizations may function in a manner consistent with the values of sovereign democratic republic.
The organizations seeking foreign contributions
for definite cultural, social, economic, educational or religious programmes
may either obtain registration or prior permission to receive foreign
contribution from Ministry of Home Affairs by making application in the
prescribed format and furnishing details of the activities and audited
accounts. The registration is granted only to such association which has proven
track record of functioning in the chosen field of work during last three years
and after registration, such organization is free to receive foreign contribution
from any foreign source for stated objectives. Registration is granted only
after thorough security vetting of the activities and antecedents of the
organization and office bearers thereof.
However, such organizations which are newly established and do not have
proven track record of functioning may also receive foreign contribution for
specific activities, for a specific purpose and from a specific source after
seeking project based prior permission
(PP) from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In order to bring in transparency in the administration of the Foreign
Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 and the Rules framed there under, improve
the functioning, disseminate the information and enhance user friendliness of
the various procedures the web-site is uploaded with all the FCRA forms,
Citizens’ Charter, list of registered associations, State-wise status of
application for registration/prior permission, etc. In our efforts to bring in
further improvements in the system, the following additional charters/materials
are uploaded for information and guidance of all concerned:
· Charter for NGOs/Associations applying for grant of Prior permission/Registration under the FCRA.
· Charter for NGOs/Associations granted Prior permission/Registration under the FCRA.
· Charter for the Chartered Accountants.