Extend FCRA renewal deadline, NGOs petition MHA

New Delhi: An apex body of NGOs has petitioned the Union Home Ministry, urging it to extend the date of FCRA renewal to December 31, fearing that otherwise many organisations awaiting renewed licenses will have to cease operations.

Terming it as an "existential crisis" of the NGO sector, Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) said non-disbursement of renewals may halt major development projects as many voluntary organisations are involved in various flagship programs of the Centre.

Several high profile NGOs have come under the scanner in the recent past for allegedly violating the provisions of FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) that regulates the flow of foreign funds to them.

The Home Ministry's FCRA wing had set June 31 as the deadline for renewal of application. Pending renewal, their licenses will stand terminated after October 31.

"VANI drafted a petition to the MHA appealing for extension of the date for validity to 31st December 2016 or to expedite the process of dispatching renewals so as to allay the fears of organisations and allow them to continue their operations," it said in a statement.