Over 20,000 FCRA licenses cancelled, most from TN

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Polity

Topic: Legal Issues

Issue: Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

FCRA stands for Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. it is tightened to regulate the floe of foreign funds to NGO’s.

1. Organizations have to compulsorily register with Home ministry if they wish to receive foreign funding.
2. Government monitors the expenditure to prevent any possible diversion of funds for activities detrimental to National interest.
3. regulation is allegedly used to harass civil society and media houses.

Examples

• CBI investigation is initiated against – centre for equity studies, Oxfam India
• CBI conducted searches and registered a case against News click

FCRA registration cancelled for over 20,000 organisations till feb, 2024. it includes prominent organisations like centre for policy research and world vision India.