NGOs get hefty foreign contribution

The Union home ministry  is in the process of estimating the total foreign contribution received by NGOs in  the outgoing financial year. The government had in the recent past revised guidelines for receiving foreign contributions which had triggered objections from major NGOs in the country.

According to the Home Ministry, 20,088 NGOs are receiving foreign funds.  An association with a definite cultural, social, economic, educational or religious programme can obtain foreign contribution either by obtaining ‘registration’ or ‘prior permission’ from the Ministry of Home Affairs.The contribution  from abroad could be received  as per the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976.

The Ministry has been keeping an eye on the nature of foreign contribution  and has assumed importance in the light of reported “terror or dubious  funding” in the country. The Ministry has provided fresh guidelines for receiving foreign money by the NGOs.

In 2006-07, a total of 18996 NGOs received Rs 11007 crore and in 2007-08 around 18796 NGOs benefited with the contribution of Rs 9663 crore.