Rs 40,000 cr foreign donations to NGOs

Foreign contribution worth nearly Rs 40,000 crore has been received by 77,000 NGOs across the country in four years beginning 2005-06. Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said in Rajya Sabha that during 2005-06,altogether 18,650 NGOs have received Rs 7,889.12 crore while 19,462 NGOs have received Rs 11,111.12 crore in 2006-07. Rs 9,723.96 crore was received by 19,247 NGOs in 2007-08 and Rs 10,837.49 crore was received by 20,499 NGOs in 2008-09. Last week,the government said it had barred 42 NGOs from receiving foreign contribution because of alleged financial irregularities and corruption. It also said that it had placed 36 NGOs in prior permission category,asking them to seek nod from the authorities before accepting any donation from abroad.