The Union Home Ministry has cancelled the registration of at least five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) for alleged violation of various provisions, sources said Wednesday. “With the cancellation of their FCRA registration, these NGOs will no longer be able to receive foreign contributions nor utilise the existing available funds,” sources said. The five NGOs are: Voluntary Health Association of India, CNI Synodical Board of Social Services, Indo-Global Social Service Society, Church's Auxiliary for Social Action, and Evangelical Fellowship of India. Four of the NGOs were not available for comment. The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), founded in 1951, is “an evangelical alliance called to serve churches, institutions and individuals by strategic initiatives, capacity building and forging solidarity”, says its website, adding that it also contributes towards “nation building”. General Secretary (EFI) Vijayesh Lal said the EFI application for renewal of its FCRA was denied in November 2023. “The Competent Authority has refused the renewal application under Section 16 (1) read with Section 12(4)(f)(iii) and 12(4)(f)(vi) of FCRA 2010. From what best we understand from these sections, considering that we are not experts, it means that the EFI was denied FCRA renewal because granting of FCRA to EFI was likely to affect ‘prejudicially’: the public interest [Section 12 (4) (f) (iii)], and harmony between religious, racial, social, linguistic, regional groups, castes or communities [Section 12(4)(f)(vi)],” Lal said. “The above are straight quotes from the FCRA Act. It is very surprising that the umbrella and representative body of Evangelical Christians in India and one that is involved in significant inter-faith, charity, and prayer initiatives to bless and unite the nation, is identified as a body that can ‘prejudicially’ affect inter-religious, or social harmony. On the contrary, it is one of EFI’s main works to act as bridge builders and agents of reconciliation to bring together a society that is increasingly being fragmented on religious and political lines. We are still discussing the next course of action and will take a call on the same soon,” he added. According to sources, the NGOs faced action for allegedly utilising funds for works that were not in their mandate. The NGOs violated the laws by being involved in activities that are contrary to the provisions of the FCRA, they said. The Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), set up in 1970, is a federation of 27 State Voluntary Health Associations, linking more than 4,500 health and development institutions across the country, according to its website. The Synodical Board of Social Services is the development and justice board of the Church of North India (CNI). “CNI SBSS was formed as a response of the Church to the whole question of poverty and related social justice for the poor and exploited. It works with marginalised communities throughout the geography of CNI, following the Gospel of Christ to liberate the poor and oppressed from all forms of enslavement,” says its website, adding that it has been working primarily with Dalits, Adivasis and women who have been “socially and economically excluded”. The Indo-Global Social Service Society, in its website, says that it works with the mandate for a humane social order based on truth, justice, freedom and equity. The website of the Church's Auxiliary for Social Action states that “though the initial focus was on providing immediate relief to victims of natural and human-induced calamities, it has today grown into a premier relief and development organisation in the country”. “Its primary objective is to strengthen the marginalised communities and promote sustainable development,” it states, adding that the organisation “carries out its interventions irrespective of religion, caste, creed, gender and ethnicity.” The Evangelical Fellowship of India, founded in 1951, is “an evangelical alliance called to serve churches, institutions and individuals by strategic initiatives, capacity building and forging solidarity”, says its website, adding that it also contributes towards “nation building”. “In total, 20,721 FCRA registration have been cancelled since 2012. 3,924 FCRA were cancelled in 2012, four in 2013, 59 in 2014, 10,002 in 2015, 6 in 2016, 4,863 in 2017, one in 2018, 1,839 in 2019, nil in 2020, three in 2021, 15 in 2022, four in 2023,” according to data available with the Home Ministry. According to data available till February 1, Tamil Nadu topped the list with 2,580 FCRA registrations being cancelled since 2012, followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh at 2,025 each, Uttar Pradesh at 1,820, and West Bengal at 1,717. On the other hand, 4,905 FCRA registrations were issued/ renewed since 2012. “510 registrations were issued/ renewed in 2012, 435 in 2013, 328 in 2014, 175 in 2015, 332 in 2016, 437 in 2017, 375 in 2018, 685 in 2019, 164 in 2020, 178 in 2021, 79 in 2022, 1,111 in 2023,” according to ministry data. The five states/ Union territories which saw the maximum FCRA registrations/ renewals are: 675 in Maharashtra, 569 in Tamil Nadu, 489 in Karnataka, 462 in Delhi, and 370 in Gujarat. According to data disclosed in Parliament last year, Rs 55,741.51 crore was received in foreign contributions by 13,520 FCRA-registered associations or NGOs between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 financial years.
