Thursday, December 17, 2015

5 Key takeaways from amended FCRA Rules

The Govt. has notified amended Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2015 whereby access to all FCRA services has been made easier. Now everything would be done online thereby reducing human interface to a minimum. However, the relaxation comes along with certain stringent provisions relating to disclosure requirements. The key changes in FCRA Rules are given here under:

1) Online platform:


E-registration: Now all applications for registration, renewal of registration and prior permission for accepting foreign contributions under FCRA shall be made online.

Earlier the applicant was required to forward the hard copy of on-line application (duly signed by the Chief Functionary of the association) to Government within 30 days of the submission of the application. Now under the amended norms, the applicant can directly upload the normally signed or digitally signed application along with scanned documents directly at online portal of FCRA.

E-payment of fees: Now the fees for various services under FCRA shall be accepted through online payment gateway. Further, the condition of applying for renewal one year before the expiry of existing registration certificate has been done away with.

2) Declaration from person receiving foreign contributions


The person receiving foreign contributions shall file declaration under Form FC – 4 containing following undertakings:


i) The utilization of foreign contribution is not in the contravention of the provision of FCRA,