The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a fresh directive to associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, reminding them to adhere strictly to timelines for renewal of their registration certificates.
In a public notice, the MHA said it has observed that many associations are submitting renewal applications less than 90 days before the expiry of their registration, in violation of prescribed norms. Such delays, it cautioned, hinder the scrutiny process and the time required to obtain security clearances, often leading to certificates lapsing before renewals are processed.
Under Section 16(1) of the FCRA, 2010, organisations holding a certificate of registration are required to apply for renewal within six months prior to its expiry. Section 16(3) provides that the government will ordinarily process and grant renewal within 90 days of receiving the application. Rule 12(2) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules (FCRR), 2011, requires that applications be submitted electronically in Form FC-3C, accompanied by affidavits in the prescribed format.
The ministry pointed out that when associations fail to apply in the stipulated time, their certificates automatically lapse on expiry, even if renewal requests are pending. As per Rule 12(5) of the FCRR, 2011, organisations whose registrations cease to be valid are not permitted to receive or utilise foreign contributions until renewal is approved. This, the ministry said, disrupts ongoing projects and activities dependent on overseas funding.
Associations have now been strictly advised to file renewal applications well in advance and, in any case, no later than four months before the expiry of their registration certificates. This, the MHA said, will facilitate timely processing and disposal of applications and help avoid disruption to activities.
“All associations are requested to take note of the above and ensure compliance to avoid inconvenience at a later stage,” the ministry added in its directive.
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