Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Regulate Funds Received As Foreign Contributions [Read Bill]

It prohibits acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality for any activities detrimental to the national interest.

While introducing the Bill, Nityanand Rai, MoS Home Minister, said,

"Annual inflow of foreign contribution has almost doubled between the years 2010 and 2019, but many recipients of foreign contribution have not utilised the same for the purpose for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the said Act. Therefore, there is a need to streamline the provisions of the said Act by strengthening the compliance mechanism, enhancing transparency and accountability in the receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution."

It will amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

Salient Features

Prohibition to accept foreign contribution

The Bill prohibits public servants from accepting any foreign contributions. This is in addition to the bar placed on election candidates, editor or publisher of a newspaper, judges, government servants, members of any legislature, and political parties, among others.

Transfer of foreign contribution

The Bill prohibits the transfer of foreign contributions to any other person be it an individual, association, or a registered company. Thus, sub-granting of foreign funds has been prohibited.

Aadhaar for registration

The Bill provides that any person seeking Government approval (mandatory for accepting foreign contributions) must provide the Aadhaar number of all its office bearers, directors or key functionaries, as an identification document. In case of a foreigner, they must provide a copy of the passport or the OCI card.

FCRA account

The Bill stipulates that foreign contribution must be 'received' only in an account designated by the bank as "FCRA account" in such branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi, as notified by the central government. No funds other than the foreign contribution should be received or deposited in this account.

However, another FCRA account may be opened in any scheduled bank for keeping or utilising the received contribution.

Violation of FCRA

If a person accepting foreign contribution is found guilty of violating any provisions of the 2010 Act or the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, the Central Govt may restrict the usage of unutilised foreign contribution.

Where the proceedings over suspicion of such violation are pending, the government may suspend the registration of a person for a period not exceeding 180 days, extendable for another 180 days.

Renewal of license

The Bill provides that the government may conduct an inquiry before renewing the certificate of registration of a person, to ensure that the person:

• is not fictitious or benami
• has not been prosecuted or convicted for creating communal tension or indulging in activities aimed at religious conversion
• has not been found guilty of diversion or misutilisation of funds, among others conditions.

Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes

The Bill reduces the cap for utilization of funds for administrative expenses from 50% to 20%.

Parliamentary Debate

While some members highlighted that the Bill will prevent misuse of foreign funds and ensure transparency and national security, some MPs expressed their concern that such vigour in law will adversely affect small NGOs working for good cause.

The concerns raised under the Bill are enlisted herein:

• Increased Government monitoring will establish its bureaucratic control over philanthropic organizations. This control may eventually be used to silent their concerns/dissent;
• The mandate of providing Aadhar Card details is contrary to the Supreme Court's verdict in the Puttaswamy Judgment;
• Preventing sub-granting of foreign funds will ruin small NGOs that largely depend on funds from bigger philanthropic organizations or work in collaboration with big organizations;
• Restricting the accounts for receiving foreign funds only to SBI, that too only in Delhi is illogical. It reflects that other banks are incapable of managing such funds and also creates a geographical barrier for the receiver;
• Suspension of the FCRA account for one year, merely on suspicion of misuse for of funds, is not justified;
• It is unreasonable to limit the administrative expenses of the receiver to a mere 20% as they are required to maintain offices, pay salaries, etc.

Responding to these concerns, Mr. Rai reiterated that national & internal security is the main of the Bill and he assured the House that the Amendments are not against NGOs but they aim to regulate utilization of foreign funds for lawful purposes only.

On the issue of mandating Aadhar Card, he clarified that the Supreme Court has permitted the Government to seek Aadhar details for identification purposes.

On the aspect of restricting the receival of funds to SBI, Delhi, he explained that one account needs to be opened in SBI in Delhi so that all money come in one place and it can be immediately transferred. However, this does not mean people cannot open account in other banks.

The persons concerned may open another FCRA Account in any of the scheduled bank of his choice for the purpose of keeping or utilising the foreign contribution which has been received from his FCRA Account in the specified branch of State Bank of India at New Delhi.

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