MHA directs NGOs to hunt FCRA registration renewal 90 days earlier than expiry

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday directed non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to submit purposes for renewal of their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration at the very least 4 months earlier than expiry.

FCRA registration, which is necessary for NGOs and associations to obtain overseas funds, is renewed each 5 years.

In a communication, the Ministry famous that a number of associations had been submitting renewal purposes lower than 90 days earlier than the expiry of their certificates. “Such delayed submissions don’t enable ample time for scrutiny and for acquiring mandatory inputs from safety companies earlier than the validity expires. As a outcome, certificates are deemed to have ceased on expiry whereas renewal purposes stay pending. Consequently, …such associations can not obtain or utilise overseas contribution till renewal is granted, thereby disrupting their ongoing actions,” the Ministry stated.

It additional said that NGOs are “strictly suggested to submit their renewal purposes properly upfront and, in any case, not later than 4 months earlier than the expiry of their certificates. This will facilitate well timed processing and disposal of their purposes, and keep away from disruption of their actions”.

As on Tuesday, 16,192 associations and NGOs had lively FCRA registration.