NGOs to be considered public servants, have to disclose assets and liabilities: Report

Delhi: In a measure which could have far-reaching consequences, the Union  Home Ministry has decided that all non-profit organisations that receive more than Rs one crore as government funds and over 10 lakhs as donations from abroad, will have to declare their assets.

NDTV quoted sources as saying that the NGOs will now be considered public servants.

Thus, under the provisions of the Lokpal Act, they are supposed to disclose assets and liabilities every year.

At the same time, they have to put out the information in public domain.

As of now, the government tracks only foreign funds and expenditure of NGOs, but henceforth the assets of the non-profits will be looked into as well.

The report further quoted sources as saying that this was yet another way for the government to keep an eye on NGOs that are allegedly engaged in anti-development activities.

In April last year, the NDA government had cancelled licences of nearly 9,000 NGOs for violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

In an order, the Home Ministry had said that notices were issued to 10,343 NGOs for not filing annual returns for the year 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.

The notices were served on October 16, 2014 saying that the NGOs should file their annual returns within a month specifying amount of foreign funds received, sources of such funds, for which purpose it was received and in manner in which such foreign contribution was utilised, according to a Home Ministry notification.

Out of the 10,344 NGOs, only 229 had replied.

There was no reply from the remaining NGOs leading to cancellation of their registration issued under FCRA.

(With Agency inputs)