There is some good news on the last day of 2021. The validity of FCRA registration certificate has been extended today.
There is some good news for NGOs receiving foreign funds — the validity of their FCRA registration certificate has been extended today.
Validity of FCRA registration certificates (mandated under the Foreign contribution regulation Act 1976) of NGOs has been extended up to 31 March 2022, according to a document accessed from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. This decision applies to organisations that have applied for the renewal of their FCRA certificate on the FCRA portal between 29 September 2020 and 31 March 2022 or till the date of disposal of the renewal application.
The government order has been issued to aid NGOs whose FCRA registration certificates are due to expire by 31 March 2022, provided that these organisations have applied for renewal on FCRA portal before the expiry of the certificate of registration.
Organisations with an expired FCRA certificate “shall not be eligible either to receive the foreign contribution or utilise the foreign contribution received” by them, the communication says.
The notice informs that in case of refusal of the application for renewal of certificate of registration, the validity of the certificate “shall be deemed to have expired on the date of refusal”.
While the government’s communication keeps FCRA registered organisations on the wrong side of the government on their heels, because their applications for renewal can be disposed at the will of the government.
Image: Aaradhana Kohli
