FCRA Amendment Bill passed in RS

at 4:11 pm

New Delhi (NVI): Rajya Sabha today passed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020, that bars transfer of foreign funds from one NGO to another, prohibits public servants from taking donations from abroad and mandating Aadhaar for registration, amid concerns raised by the civil society and some parties.

The Bill was moved by Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in the Upper House of Parliament.

The Bill amends the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, which regulates the use and acceptance of foreign contribution by individuals and organizations.

The Act prohibits foreign contribution for any activities that pose a danger to national interest.

It provides for reduction in administrative expenses of any NGO receiving foreign funding, from 50 per cent to 20 per cent of annual funds.

The Bill also proposes to enable the Centre to allow an NGO or association to surrender its FCRA certificate.

-CHK