New Delhi: About 20 voluntary organisations operating from Orissa are on the verge of closure as their licences are likely to be cancelled for alleged violation of prescribed norms of the Centre.
The foreign wing of the Home Ministry Monday issued show-cause notices to 5,992 such organisations in the country including around 20 such voluntary organisations/NGOs and associations from Orissa for their alleged failure to furnish required financial information to the ministry under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
These non-government organisations (NGOs) under scanner of the ministry have been asked why their licences should not be cancelled as they have failed to inform the government about their financial transactions despite repetitive reminders through different modes of communication.
The ministry said, “As a one-time measure, all associations were given an opportunity by way of a Public Notice (dated May 12, 2017) requiring them to file their missing Annual Returns pertaining to 2010-11 to 2014-15 within a month. This was followed by regular email alerts and SMS alerts May 31, 2017 after which daily SMS alerts were sent.”
“However, in spite of sufficient and adequate notice, it has been observed that 5,922 such organisations from the country have not uploaded their annual returns for three or more than three years within the stipulated time given in the notice.”
As per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 made there under, the associations are bound to submit their annual returns every financial year.
The NGOs from Orissa who have been issued show-cause notices from the Centre include those working on environment, education, tribal affairs, women empowerment and other issues. These voluntary outfits have been given 15 days to submit their response failing which stringent action would be taken by the ministry which can even lead to cancellation of their licences.
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