21-Sep-2022: PM chairs meeting of Board of Trustees of PM CARES Fund
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the PM CARES Fund on 20.09.2022.
A presentation was made on the various initiatives undertaken with the help of PM CARES Fund, including the PM CARES for Children scheme which is supporting 4345 children. Trustees appreciated the role played by the fund at a crucial time for the country. PM Shri Narendra Modi appreciated the people of the country for contributing wholeheartedly to PM CARES Fund.
It was discussed that PM CARES has a larger vision on effectively responding to emergency and distress situations, not only through relief assistance, but also taking mitigation measures and capacity building.
Prime Minister welcomed the Trustees for becoming an integral part of the PM CARES Fund.
The meeting was attended by Trustees of the PM CARES Fund, i.e. Union Home Minister and Union Finance Minister as also, the newly nominated trustees of the PM CARES Fund:
- Justice K.T. Thomas, Former Judge, Supreme Court,
- Shri Kariya Munda, Former Deputy Speaker,
- Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons.
The Trust further decided to nominate following eminent persons for constitution of Advisory Board to PM CARES Fund:
- Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Former Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Smt. Sudha Murthy, Former Chairperson, Infosys Foundation
- Shri Anand Shah, Co-founder of Teach for India and Former CEO of Indicorps and Piramal Foundation.
Prime Minister said that participation of new Trustees and Advisors will provide wider perspectives to the functioning of the PM CARES Fund. Their vast experience of public life would impart further vigour in making the fund more responsive to various public needs.
7-Oct-2021: PM dedicates to the nation PSA Oxygen Plants established under PM CARES
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, dedicated 35 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants established under PM CARES, across 35 States and Union Territories, in an event held at AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand today. With this, all districts of the country will now have commissioned PSA Oxygen Plants. Union Ministers, Governor, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, State Ministers and healthcare professionals were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted the beginning of the holy festival of Navratri from today. He said Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. He remarked that Shailputri is the daughter of Himalaya. “On this day I am here, coming here to bow to this soil, saluting this land of Himalayas, what can be a greater blessing in life than this,” said the Prime Minister. He also congratulated the state for splendid performance in the Olympics and Paralympics. The Prime Minister stressed that his relationship network with the land of Uttarakhand is not only of heart but also of action, not only of essence but also of element.
Continuing with the significance that today’s date holds for him, the Prime Minister recalled that on this day 20 years ago, he got a new responsibility to serve the public. He added that his journey of serving the people, living among the people was going on for many decades, but 20 years ago today, he got a new responsibility as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also noted that the beginning of this journey coincided with the formation of the Uttarakhand state as he took over as the Gujarat Chief Minister a few months after that. He said he never imagined that he would, with the blessings of the people, reach the position of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the people of the country and Uttarakhand as he entered the 21st year of this unbroken journey as head of the government.
Shri Modi expressed happiness that from the land where life-giving forces like Yoga and Ayurveda gained strength, today, oxygen plants are being dedicated. The Prime Minister said the facilities India prepared in such a short timespan to fight the Corona pandemic, shows the capability of our country. Network of about 3000 testing labs were created from just 1 testing lab, before the pandemic. India has transformed from being an importer to an exporter of masks and kits. Facilities of new ventilators were made available even in remote areas of the country. India has made rapid and large-scale manufacturing of Made in India Corona Vaccine. India has implemented the world's largest and fastest vaccination campaign. The Prime Minister said what India has done is a symbol of our determination, our service and our solidarity.
The Prime Minister said in normal days, India used to produce 900 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen a day. As the demand increased, India increased the production of medical oxygen by more than 10 times. He added that this was an unimaginable goal for any country in the world, but India has achieved it.
The Prime Minister remarked that it is a matter of pride for every Indian that 93 crore doses of corona vaccine have been administered. Very soon India will cross the 100 crore mark. He said India has shown the way to the whole world by building the CoWIN platform that shows how vaccination is done on such a large scale.
The Prime Minister said now the government does not wait for the citizens to come to it with their problems and then take any action. He said that this misconception is being removed from the government mindset and system. Now the government goes to the citizens.
The Prime Minister noted that till 6-7 years ago, only a few states had the facility of AIIMS, today work is being done to take AIIMS to every state. He said we are moving fast from 6 AIIMS to build a strong network of 22 AIIMS. It is also the goal of the government that there must be at least one medical college in every district of the country. He recalled that former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had fulfilled the dream of the creation of Uttarakhand. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed that connectivity is directly related to development. Due to his inspiration, today work is being done for improving connectivity infrastructure in the country at unprecedented speed and scale, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said before the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, only 1,30,000 households in Uttarakhand had access to tap water. Today piped drinking water has started reaching more than 7,10,000 houses of Uttarakhand. That is, within just 2 years, about 6 lakh houses in the state have got water connections. The Prime Minister informed that the government is also working very seriously for the interests of every soldier, every ex-serviceman. He added that it is our government that fulfilled the 40 years old demand of our brothers from the armed forces by implementing One Rank One Pension.
12-May-2020: BPPI Contributes Rs.25 Lakh to PMCARES fund
To support government in its fight against COVID-19, Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India(BPPI) Under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has contributed Rs. 25 Lakh to PMCARES fund.
The amount was contributed by employees, of BPPI and owners and distributors of Janaushadhi Kendras. The Kendras working under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) have been rendering essential services to the nation. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), the implementing agency of the PMBJP has been keeping a close tab on the situation in all of its area of operations. BPPI has been standing with its stakeholders and consumers in these challenging times as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) are functional and maintaining operations as part of their commitment.
BPPI is committed to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines at the PMBJK. BPPI has clocked appreciable sales turnover of Rs. 52 Crore despite the lock down and testing times in the month of April 2020 as compared to Rs. 42 Crore achieved in March 2020. As the product basket of PMBJP consists of all the essential medicines enlisted in the NLEM other than lab regents & stents, BPPI has adequate stock of the medicines which are currently under demand viz. Face mask, Hydroxychloroquine, Paracetamol and Azithromycin. BPPI has sold about 6 lacs Face masks, 50 lacs tablets of Hydroxychloroquine in the month of March & April 2020. Further, orders for 60 lacs Hydroxychloroquine tablets has also been placed. Envisioning current market demand, BPPI has also placed purchase orders for procurement of these medicines so as to have enough stock for the next six months.
Following the lock down measures in place, over 6300 PMBJKs are functioning across the nation, covering 726 districts of the country. Supporting the governments initiative of practicing social distancing, pharmacists at the PMBJK, now popularly known as “Swasth Ke Sipahi” are undertaking delivery of medicines to patients and elderly people at their doorstep.
3-May-2020: Employees of EPFO contribute Rs 2.5 crore to PM CARES fund
The employees of Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) have also come forward to support the Government’s initiative in combating national crisis of COVID-19 pandemic and voluntarily contributed one day’s salary- amounting to around Rs. 2.5 crore to the PM CARES Fund. EPFO, as one of World's largest Social Security Organizations, stands committed in the service of the nation in every possible way.
The COVID-19, declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of Indians. Government of India has set up a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund) with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation.
Officers and staff of EPFO are also contributing by putting in extra efforts for providing relief by expeditiously processing EPF withdrawal claims including COVID claims under PMGKY package, etc.
11-Apr-2020: MCA’s Frequently Asked Questions on eligibility of CSR expenditure related to COVID-19 activities
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has been receiving several references/ representations from various stakeholders seeking clarifications on eligibility of CSR expenditure related to COVID-19 activities. In this regard, a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) along with clarifications are provided below for better understanding of the stakeholders.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
Reply |
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Whether contribution made to ‘PM CARES Fund’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure? |
Contribution made to ‘PM CARES Fund’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure under item no (viii) of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and it has been further clarified vide Office memorandum F. No. CSR-05/1/2020-CSR-MCA dated 28th March, 2020. |
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Whether contribution made to ‘Chief Minister’s Relief Funds’ or ‘State Relief Fund for COVID-19’ shall qualify as CSR expenditure? |
Chief Minister’s Relief Fund’ or ‘State Relief Fund for COVID-19’ is not included in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and therefore any contribution to such funds shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure. |
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Whether contribution made to State Disaster Management Authority shall qualify as CSR expenditure? |
Contribution made to State Disaster Management Authority to combat COVID-19 shall qualify as CSR expenditure under item no (xii) of Schedule VII of the 2013 and clarified vide general circular No. 10/2020 dated 23rd March, 2020. |
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Whether spending of CSR funds for COVID-19 related activities shall qualify as CSR expenditure? |
Ministry vide general circular No. 10/2020 dated 23rd March, 2020 has clarified that spending CSR funds for COVID-19 related activities shall qualify as CSR expenditure. It is further clarified that funds may be spent for various activities related to COVID-19 under items nos. (i) and (xii) of Schedule VII relating to promotion of health care including preventive health care and sanitation, and disaster management. Further, as per general circular No. 21/2014 dated 18.06.2014, items in Schedule VII are broad based and may be interpreted liberally for this purpose. |
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Whether payment of salary/wages to employees and workers, including contract labour, during the lockdown period can be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies? |
Payment of salary/ wages in normal circumstances is a contractual and statutory obligation of the company. Similarly, payment of salary/ wages to employees and workers even during the lockdown period is a moral obligation of the employers, as they have no alternative source of employment or livelihood during this period. Thus, payment of salary/ wages to employees and workers during the lockdown period (including imposition of other social distancing requirements) shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure. |
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Whether payment of wages made to casual /daily wage workers during the lockdown period can be adjusted against the CSR expenditure of the companies? |
Payment of wages to temporary or casual or daily wage workers during the lockdown period is part of the moral/ humanitarian/ contractual obligations of the company and is applicable to all companies irrespective of whether they have any legal obligation for CSR contribution under section 135 of the Companies Act 2013. Hence, payment of wages to temporary or casual or daily wage workers during the lockdown period shall not count towards CSR expenditure. |
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Whether payment of ex-gratia to temporary /casual /daily wage workers shall qualify as CSR expenditure? |
If any ex-gratia payment is made to temporary / casual workers/ daily wage workers over and above the disbursement of wages, specifically for the purpose of fighting COVID 19, the same shall be admissible towards CSR expenditure as a onetime exception provided there is an explicit declaration to that effect by the Board of the company, which is duly certified by the statutory auditor. |
10-Apr-2020: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India contribute Rs 28.80 crore towards PM CARES Fund
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India, the three Professional Institutes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, have come forward to donate an amount of Rs 28.80 crore to PM-CARES Fund for providing assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) was created on 28th March 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic in India. This dedicated national fund has been set up with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected people.
6-Apr-2020: Ports and PSUs of Ministry of Shipping contribute Rs. 52 Crore as CSR Fund to PM-CARES
All Major Ports and Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Shipping have decided to contribute Rs.52 Crore as CSR fund to ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund) which has been created to provide relief to Coronavirus ( COVID-19) pandemic affected people.
5-Apr-2020: Officers & staff of Ministry of Finance, Financial Institutions and Public Sector Banks/Enterprises Contributes Rs 430 crore towards PM CARES Fund
The Officers & staff of Ministry of Finance including the officials of financial institutions and Public Sector Banks/Enterprises under the Ministry have come forward to donate a day’s salary including under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with an amount ofRs 430.13 crore to PM-CARES Fund for providing assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) was created on 28 March 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic in India. This dedicated national fund has been set up with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected people
3-Apr-2020: Power & RE sector PSUs contributing Rs. 925 Cr. To PM CARES fund
The Central Public Centre Enterprises ( CPSEs) under Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy have decided to contribute Rs. 925 Crore to ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ which has been created by PMO to provide relief to victims of coronavirus ( COVID-19) pandemic.
Informing about the major initiative by PSU under his Ministries, Shri R.K. Singh, the Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy has tweeted, “ We feel honoured to share that the Public Sector Undertakings of the Ministry of Power & MNRE have decided to contribute INR 925 Cr to the PM- CARES fund with INR 445Cr being deposited on 31st March and remaining in the first week of April. ”The amount of Rs. 925 Cr includes contribution of Rs. 905 Cr from PSUs under Ministry of Power and contribution of Rs. 20 Cr. From PSUs under MNRE.
"Covid-19, a highly contagious disease has spread to almost the entire world. In India too the pandemic is posing severe health hazard, which requires the entire nation to stand together," Shri Singh said. He complemented all those who are contributing wholeheartedly to the PM Cares Fund responding to the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
2-Apr-2020: SPMCIL employees contribute towards PM CARES Fund to combat COVID-19
Keeping in view the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis across the country, around 8,500 employees of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL) contribute to fighting COVID-19 outbreak by volunteering one-day salary donation from March 2020 towards the Prime Minister CARES FUND in this hour of distress.
1-Apr-2020: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar presented Rs.11 crore cheque as contribution by NCDC & Indian Potash Ltd towards PM CARES Fund
On the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and Indian Potash Limited have jointly contributed a sum of Rs.11 crore towards the PM CARES Fund in order to tackle the Covid-19 threat. NCDC Managing Director Shri Sundeep Kumar Nayak presented a cheque of Rs.11 crore to the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar here today.
NCDC extends financial assistance to villagers through the cooperatives. In the last financial year it has extended loans to farmers and rural population to the tune of Rs.30,000 crore.
Companies and Institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare have been making contributions in crores of Rupees to Shri Tomar towards the PM CARES Fund.
The Minister has himself contributed Rs.1 crore from the MPLADS Fund and one month of his salary. Besides, he has contributed Rs.50 lakh for related works in his constituency, Morena-Sheopur.
14-Sep-2022: Power PSUs Sign Historic MoU with National Sports Development Fund
In a historic event , NTPC and REC Ltd, two major PSUs under Ministry of Power signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with National Sports Development Funds (NSDF) and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) with National Sports Development Fund. MoUs were signed in the presence of Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy and Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information and Broadcasting were present during the historic MoU signing ceremony. Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC, Shri Vivek Kumar Devangan, CMD REC, Director General Sports Authority of India, various eminent athletes and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Shri R.K Singh congratulated both PSUs for their humongous efforts in promoting sports in India by committing Rs. 215 Crores. Rs 115 crores commitment is for 5 years by NTPC towards Archery and Rs 100 Crores commitment is by REC for 3 years towards Women's hockey, Boxing and athletics.
Shri Singh highlighted that Sports is an integral part of character building and nation building. He stated that for development of the country, sports have to be promoted as many other developed countries have been doing. He reiterated the call by Hon’ble Prime Minister for promotion of sports in the country and shared that there is a huge increase in the number of medals being won by India in different sports in various international events including Olympics. Shri Singh added that we have to encourage and support the talent in sports, increase the number of coaches and develop world-class facilities.
Power Minister further expressed that many other Power PSUs would also come forward to financially support various other sports. He urged Power PSUs to come forward in providing employment not just to successful athletes but also to other athletes who need support. He concluded by wishing all the athletes for upcoming Olympics to win big and make the country proud.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Anurag Thakur said that two PSUs from the Power Ministry have contributed a total of Rs 215 crore for the development of sports , making it an historic occasion. This contribution by the Power Ministry will go a long way to energise the sports sector, he said. "Everyone, from the corporates to individuals and from various institutions to States, should work together as a team. This MoU signing will give a big motivation to our athletes .”, Shri Thakur added. "Earlier, I had urged online donations at NSDF, to adopt an athlete, a sport and an academy. Now, both NTPC and REC have adopted both sports and athletes. This has all happened because of the vision of the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. There are many PSUs but the ones who come forward help in building soft power of India, help athletes keep away from addiction and also motivate them to perform higher at the international stage," added Shri Thakur.
REC has initiated assistance for “Broad basing of Sports and promotion of excellence in sports in India” to be implemented by National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with an aim to promote sports in general and specific sports disciplines and individual sportspersons in particular for achieving excellence at the national and international level.
REC has allocated Rs 100 crore to be spent in three years as an Amount of Assistance for its CSR initiative. The fund will be utilized for activities and work permissible for expenditure as a support to Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athletes, support for coaches and other support staff and also for any other projects, programmes or events for broad basing of sports and promotion of excellence in sports in India. The fund will also be utilized for the promotion of Boxing, Women Hockey and Athletics to be targeted and any other sports, as may be mutually agreed by REC and NSDF.
NTPC has been supporting the Archery sport in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Archery Association of India (AAI) with an aim to provide world class facilities with international exposure & platform to the talented pool of Archers of India.
Under its CSR initiative, NTPC has committed Rs. 115 Crore in 5 years for development of Archery Sports. Out of total 115 Crore, Rs. 15 crore will be incurred as a one-time expenditure towards preparations of field targets, setting up of training centres and equipment like bow & arrow. Further, remaining Rs. 100 crore will be incurred as recurring expenditure in 5 years (Rs. 20 crore per year) towards the development of Archery from the grassroot level, training of identified talents, training of elite talents, development of high-performing coaches, procurement of FOP equipment, development sports & science lab compatible for Archery, Scholarships/ prize money for high performers, advance training/ competitive exposure/ foreign training & exposure to Sub-Jr./ Jr. Archers of Recurve and Compound Archers including Para Archers, etc.
14-Sep-2022: National Sports Development Fund inks historic MOU with NTPC and REC of financial support of Rs 215 Crores for development of sports in India
In the presence of Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur and Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy Sh. RK Singh, the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) of Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) with NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) Foundation and REC (Rural Electrification Corporation) Foundation today in New Delhi for development of sports in India.
The financial support to be given by NTPC is Rs 115 Crores over the next 5 years and they will be supporting Archery discipline in India. REC Foundation has also committed an amount of Rs 100 Crores over 3 years to support Women’s Hockey, Athletics and Boxing. The support towards NSDF has come through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate.
CMD of REC Vivek Kumar Dewangan and CMD NTPC Gurdeep Singh, DG SAI Sh. Sandip Pradhan, as well as athletes and coaches from Archery, Boxing, Hockey and Athletics disciplines, including Abhishek Verma (Compound Archery), Savita Punia (Women's Hockey), Amit Panghal (Men's Boxing) and Avinash Sable (Men's 3000m Steeplechase) were also present on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Anurag Thakur said that two PSUs from the Power Ministry have contributed a total of Rs 215 crore for the development of sports , making it an historic occasion. This contribution by the Power Ministry will go a long way to energise the sports sector, he said. "Everyone, from the corporates to individuals and from various institutions to States, should work together as a team. This MoU signing will give a big motivation to our athletes .”, Shri Thakur added.
"Earlier, I had urged online donations at NSDF, to adopt an athlete, a sport and an academy. Now, both NTPC and REC have adopted both sports and athletes. This has all happened because of the vision of the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. There are many PSUs but the ones who come forward help in building soft power of India, help athletes keep away from addiction and also motivate them to perform higher at the international stage," added Shri Thakur.
The support from NTPC and REC Foundation will cover the following: Grassroots development of the sports, training of identified talent, training of elite talent, coach development, sports science support, advance training and more.
Elaborating on the MoU signed, Shri RK Singh mentioned, "We from the Power Ministry are extremely happy to have done something for the further development of sports in India, through NTPC and REC. We have adopted just a few sports disciplines today but going forward, we want to adopt more disciplines and continue in the development of more facilities and coaches. We promise that our Ministry will be associated in doing all possible in further development of sports in the country. Creating sports culture in the country is part of Nation building. "
The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act 1890 and was notified by the Government of India in November, 1998. The purpose of the fund is to impart momentum and flexibility to assisting the cause of sports in India. It helps sportspersons excel by providing them with varied opportunities to train under coaches of international repute, provide financial assistance for development of infrastructure and other activities for promotion of sports.
29-Feb-2020: Under CSR initiative, SPMCIL contributes Rs 1 crore towards National Sports Development Fund
Under the CSR initiatives of the Company, Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) contributed a sum of Rs 1 Crore towards National Sports Development Fund under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for the top athletes of our Country selected for Tokyo Olympics and beyond. The cheque of Rs 1 Crore was handed over to Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs & Sports on 27.02.2020 by Ms. Tripti Patra Ghosh, Chairman and Managing Director, SPMCIL and Shri S.K. Sinha, Director (HR), SPMCIL. Shri Inder Dhamija, Joint Secretary (Sports) and Shri B.J. Gupta, General Manager (HR), SPMCIL were also present.
20-Mar-2018: Contribution of Rs. 10 crores by India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) to National Sports Development Fund (NSDF)
India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) has made contribution of Rs 10.00 Crore to the NSDF. This is the third installment of contribution made by the IIFCL making the total contribution Rs 30.00 Crore.
The IIFCL contribution is being utilized for promotion of sports in the disciplines Badminton, Archery and Para Sports by way of support to sportspersons in these disciplines for their customized training and other services and setting up of Academies/Support to Academies in these disciplines.
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established with the objective of promotion of excellence in sports through support to top level sportspersons who are medal prospects in Olympics and other major international competitions and creation of sports infrastructure in priority disciplines etc. The Fund accepts contributions from private/public corporate sectors, other legal bodies like Trusts/Societies, individuals etc.
The Fund has made significant contribution for promotion of sports by way of financial assistance to top level sportspersons for their customized training, purchase of equipment and participation in international competitions. The Fund also has extended support to a few renowned Sports Academies/Institutes (which provide facilities for training of potential young sportspersons) for development of sports infrastructure.
26-Jul-2022: Amendment to FCRA
The Central Government has notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2022 vide GSR No. 506(E) on 1st July, 2022 to further amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR, 2011). These amendments aim to reduce compliance burden on citizens. As per amended Rule 6 of FCRR 2011, any person receiving Foreign Contribution (FC) more than Rs. 10 Lakh in a financial year from relatives [as defined in section 2(1)(r) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010] has to intimate to Central Government within three months of receipt of FC. Earlier such monetary threshold limit was Rs 1 Lakh and intimation to Central Govt. was required within thirty days.
Further, the time limit prescribed in rules 9(1)(e), 9(2)(e) and 17A of FCRR, 2011 for intimation to Central Government has been increased from 15 days to 45 days.
10-Sep-2020: Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah hails the grant of FCRA clearance to the Sri Harmandir Sahib as a pathbreaking and historic decision
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today hailed the grant of FCRA clearance to the Sri Harmandir Sahib as a pathbreaking and historic decision.
Shri Amit Shah said in a tweet, “Sri Darbar Sahib’s divinity gives strength to us. For decades, the Sangat worldwide was unable to serve there. Modi Government’s decision to allow FCRA to the Sri Harmandir Sahib deepens the connect of Seva between the Sangat globally and the Sri Darbar Sahib. A blessed moment!”.
The Union Home Minister also said, “the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji is blessed that Wahe Guru ji has taken Seva from him. The decision on FCRA at the Sri Harmandir Sahib is a pathbreaking one which will once again showcase the outstanding spirit of service of our Sikh sisters and brothers”.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, granted registration to the Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, Punjab. This association had applied for registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010 on 27.05.2020. The registration shall remain valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
Before granting registration to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, Punjab, the application of this association was examined in accordance with the provisions laid down in FCRA, 2010 and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules (FCRR), 2011.
Various inputs received from relevant quarters and documents submitted by the association along with the application, established that this association fulfills criteria prescribed under FCRA, 2010 and rules under it.
The association named Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple based at Amritsar, Punjab was created in 1925 under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 with objectives to offer free Langar to public/devotees round the clock, financial help to poor and needy, students, financial assistance for medical treatment to needy persons and offering services during Natural disasters. The association was receiving domestic donations, to fulfil these objectives. Now, with permission from the MHA, the association is enabled to receive foreign contribution and utilize these contributions for the stated objectives in compliance with provisions of FCRA, 2010.
7-Sep-2020: Government suspends FCRA clearance of 4 Christian groups
Of the six NGOs whose license under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was suspended by the Union Home Ministry this year, four are Christian associations. An FCRA licence is mandatory for a non-profit organisation to receive foreign funds.
At least two U.S.-based Christian donors are also under the Ministry’s scanner for funding NGOs and groups here.
Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of U.S.-based evangelical donors including Seventh Day Adventist Church and Baptist Church in regard to Indian associations; a probe is on.
The four Christian groups whose FCRA was suspended are Ecreosoculis North Western Gossner Evangelical in Jharkhand, the Evangelical Churches Association (ECA) in Manipur, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jharkhand and New Life Fellowship Association (NLFA) in Mumbai. The reasons for the suspension or violation were not specified.
The Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), had obstructed prayer meetings organised by the NLFA in Mumbai in April and September last year. The Hindu religious group alleged that the meeting was a pretext for religious conversion and later submitted a complaint to the police.
The FCRA license of NLFA was suspended on February 10, according to Home Ministry data. According to the NLFA’s website, the group began operations in India in the mid-sixties after the arrival of missionaries from the New Life Churches of New Zealand in 1964.
The Evangelical Churches Association (ECA) was founded in 1952 in Manipur. Its origins can be traced to a Welsh Presbyterian missionary who visited in 1910.
According to the website of Ecreosoculis North-Western Gossner Evangelical, its origin is rooted in the development of the Gossner mission of Germany in Chhotanagpur region.
The Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church was established in 1987 and is part of a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 77 million Christians in 99 countries.
Any organisation, association or NGO in India cannot receive foreign funds if they do not have a license under the FCRA, which is regulated by the Home Ministry. Suspension of FCRA license means that the NGO can no longer receive fresh foreign funds from donors pending a probe by the ministry.
The two other organisations whose license was suspended are the Rajnandgaon Leprosy Hospital and Clinics, and the Don Bosco Tribal Development Society.
Earlier in 2017, another powerful U.S.- based Christian donor, Compassion International, was forced to stop operations in India after the ministry found that it funded NGOs that encouraged religious conversions.
The same year, the Home ministry declined to renew the FCRA licenses of two NGOs, which received funds from Bloomberg Philanthropies, founded by U.S. billionaire Michael Bloomberg. Earlier in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former New York mayor had announced a joint initiative to build Smart cities in India that would be aided by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
As of now, there are 22,457 NGOs or associations registered under the FCRA, while the licenses of 20,674 were cancelled and 6,702 are deemed to have expired.
17-Sep-2019: Government notifies new rules for foreign funding of NGOs
The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified new rules for those receiving foreign funding. Now, key functionaries, office bearers and members of NGOs, receiving foreign funds, will have to declare before the government that they were not prosecuted or convicted for converting anyone from one faith to another.
The Ministry has announced in a notification that the changes in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Rules, 2011 (FCRA), has been made. Any individual receiving a personal gift valued up to Rs 1 lakh need not inform the government about it anymore.
Key Highlights
- Every member of an NGO must also now, under oath, through an affidavit, certify that they have never been involved in “diverting” foreign funds or propagating “sedition” or “advocating violent means”.
- Earlier, the applicant or director-level person was to given this declaration but now all members of the NGO need to be given this declaration.
- Earlier, as per the market value of the gift item in India was Rs. 25,000, now it has been raised to Rs. one lakh.
- If any individual, from NGO, hospitalized during a foreign visit, he/she has to be intimated the government within one month.
FCRA: Government of India enacted the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in the year 1976 with an objective of regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution and foreign hospitality by persons and associations working in the important areas of national life.
The act was majorly modified in 2010 with several amendments because many NGOs were found using illegal use of foreign funding. In 2016 license of about 20,000 NGOs were cancelled after reviewing their work.