5,804 NGOs receiving foreign funding carry out religious works: Govt

More than 5,800 NGOs in the country, which receive foreign fundings, carry out various religious activities, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said as per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, registered NGOs can receive foreign contribution for five purposes - social, educational, religious, economic and cultural.

"Presently 5,804 NGOs are registered for religious purpose under the Act," he said replying a written question.


Rijiju said activities of the NGOs aimed at conversion through inducement or force either directly or indirectly, from one faith to another are prohibited under the Act.

"For any such violations reported, action as per the FCRA, 2010 is taken against the defaulting NGOs," he said.
According to a home ministry statistics, a total of 23,176 NGOs have received Rs 15,329.16 crore during 2016-17.

There are around 7,800 NGOs which work for social purposes and 4,800 NGOs which work for educational purposes.