MHA Grants FCRA Licenses to USIN Foundation and CNI, Revokes Licenses of Five NGOs
| Why in News | Key Points |
|---|---|
| FCRA Licence Grant to USIN Foundation and CNI | - The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) granted FCRA licenses to USIN Foundation and The Synodical Board of Social Services of the Church of North India (CNI). - CNI's FCRA license, revoked in 2022, was reinstated, permitting it to receive foreign funds for social and religious activities. - FCRA regulates foreign contributions to NGOs. |
| Revocation of FCRA Licenses | - The MHA revoked FCRA licenses of five NGOs: Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFOI), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), and CNI-SBSS. - Revocations were based on allegations of FCRA violations and misuse of foreign funds. - CNI-SBSS, established in 1970, focuses on rural development. |
| Notable NGOs Affected | - VHAI: Collaborated with WHO and ICMR, received foreign funds for disaster relief. - CASA: Received donations from Germany, USA, and Sweden. - IGSSS: Focused on climate resilience, received funds from the UK, Germany, and Singapore. |
| Other FCRA Actions | - Over 100 NGOs, including Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and Oxfam India, lost their FCRA licenses in recent years. - Oxfam India's license was revoked in December 2021. |
| MHA's FCRA License Renewal Process | - The MHA extended the validity of FCRA licenses expiring between April 1 and June 30, 2024, till June 30, 2024. - NGOs are required to apply for renewal before the expiry date. |