Government serves notices to 31,000 NGOs for not filing returns

NEW DELHI: More than 31,000 NGOs were served notices by the government for not filing annual returns on their foreign contribution, Rajya Sabha was told today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that in 2011-12, notices were sent to 21,493 associations which were found to have not submitted annual return under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 for the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

In 2014, notices were issued to 10,343 associations which had not filed annual returns for 2009-10 to 2011-12, he said.

Rijiju said adverse reports were received from intelligence agencies against NGOs such as Tuticorin Diocesan, East Coast Research and Development Trust, Thoothukudi, Centre for Promotion and Social Concerns, Madurai and Greenpeace India Society, Chennai.

"Based on inspections/investigations, the FCRA registration of Tuticorin Diocesan Association and Centre for Promotion and Social Concerns were suspended and their bank accounts frozen. FCRA registration of East Coast Research and Development Trust was cancelled," he said.