Any NGO can apply for FCRA license with definite purposes such as cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programmes, as per the MHA. Meer Foundation is listed as a “social” NGO and will now be able to receive foreign grants, explained officials on the condition of anonymity. An email query sent to the NGO remained unanswered till the filing of the report.
The NGO owned by Khan was started in 2013 and is registered as a Section 25 company (not-for-profit) under the Companies Act. It is registered as a charitable institution under section 12A (A) and 80 G of Income-tax Act of 1961. The foundation, according to its website, works on multiple fronts with different stakeholders to build a world that empowers women and brings society together. The MHA grants FCRA licences for five years and reviews their applications based on annual returns and foreign grants received for the purpose they were meant for. Any misuse or diversion of foreign funds by NGOs is considered as a violation of the FCRA Act, according to MHA.
Besides the Meer Foundation, the MHA has granted 175 FCRA licences to different NGOs across the country registered as social, religious, cultural, education, economic and religious organisations in 2024, so far. As per the FCRA laws, donations made by an Indian-origin person who has acquired foreign citizenship is treated as foreign contribution.
This will also apply to Overseas Citizen of India cardholders. However, this will not apply to Non-resident Indians, who still hold Indian citizenship as they are not foreigners.Over the past two years, more than 100 NGOs, including Centre for Policy Research, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust that is headed by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Oxfam India, have lost their FCRA licences on charges of alleged misuse of foreign grants. FCRA licences of several NGOs have been cancelled or not renewed.
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