NEW DELHI: ‘Inciting malicious protests, forceful religious conversions, carrying out anti-development activities’ are among the reasons listed out by the central government for refusal of applications of registration or renewal of applications under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
The notice uploaded by the ministry of home affairs on Monday said that FCRA registration would be revoked if an NGO fails to use foreign funds in alignment with its stated aims and objectives, or if it does not submit its annual returns.
At present, there are over 16,027 FCRA associations which are active and over 20,711 associations whose license has been cancelled, as per the MHA website.
Further, Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of active FCRA associations followed by Maharashtra and Andhra.
Other reasons for the cancellation of an NGO’s FCRA registration include prosecution of office bearers, members, or key functionaries, failure to respond to clarifications, or refusal to provide required information or documents after being given the opportunity to do so.
NGOs found to be using foreign contributions for undesirable purposes, such as supporting terrorist or anti-national activities, or if their key functionaries have links to terrorist or radical groups, would also face cancellation, MHA said
The ministry also warned that if field agencies report adverse findings about an NGO—such as the misuse of foreign funds to disrupt social or religious harmony, promote forceful religious conversion, or link the organisation to radical groups—action will be taken under the FCRA.