Suspension of Andhra Pradesh NGO’s FCRA License For Being Involved In Evangelism

The Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended the foreign funding licence of the Christian missionary based NGO ‘Harvest India’ for violating the FCRA act (2010).

Taking stringent action against Andhra Pradesh’s “evangelical” NGO, the Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended the foreign funding licence of the Christian missionary based NGO ‘Harvest India’ for violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010 and falsely taking the foreign funding.

Bishop Suresh Kumar Kathera is accused of dishonestly misrepresenting himself as a Christian Bishop and running a “evangelical” NGO called Harvest India. He was also accused of collecting millions of dollars from citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries is in charge of the NGO headquartered in Andhra Pradesh.

Last year, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) made headlines when it filed a complaint with the MHA’s FCRA section in April 2020, accusing the group of violating FCRA guidelines and releasing footage of its chief functionary Suresh Kumar engaging in religious indoctrination efforts.

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LRPF’s complaint against Harvest India NGO over evangelist acts

Earlier this month, the LRPF submitted a complaint with the MHA’s FCRA division, citing Harvest India’s anti-India actions and bishop Suresh Kathera’s involvement in the illegal evangelist acts. Harvest India was accused of collecting foreign donations through false representation by Kathera, the LRPF had mentioned in its complaint letter. The letter further claimed that Harvest India’s foreign contributions between 2017-18 and 2019-20 totalled roughly Rs 19.6 crore, which were reportedly utilised for missionary activities and not for NGO-related activities.

The LRPF has also voiced its concerns in their complaint over the organization’s use of cash for pastor salaries and the maintenance of the church. As claimed, Harvest India is said to have over 1,500 ‘community centres’ operating across the country for evangelizing. In addition, the group employs between 1,500 and 2,000 pastors who are involved in conversions.

Contrasting to the claims, Harvest India’s FCRA records for the previous years demonstrate that foreign donations were used to run orphanages, old-age homes and childcare, leprosy missions, medical help, and borewell digging.

MHA suspended seven other NGOs

The Government revoked the licences of seven other NGOs earlier in the month, the majority of which were tied to evangelist and forced conversion activities.

Holy Spirit Ministries, Markazul Ighasathil Kairiyathil Hindiyya, Russ Foundation, Heavenly Grace Ministeries, People’s Organization of Tribal Empowerment, Al Hasan Educational and Welfare Foundation, and Mewat Trust For Educational Welfare had their FCRA licences suspended by the MHA prior to this.

FCRA – foreign contribution regulation act Registration and eligibility criteria

FCRA stands for foreign contribution regulation act. FCRA was enacted by parliament and is mandatory requirement to receive any foreign contribution in India. FCRA regulations are applicable to any registered trust, society, institution or NGOs who wants to receive any foreign grant or fund. Primary objective of FCRA rules is to legalize and monitor foreign contribution made in the country.

Under foreign contribution regulation act 2010, It is mandatory to have a FCRA registration certificate. In this article, we would discuss eligibility criteria for obtaining a FCRA registration number. FCRA registration number is a unique number provided with each FCRA registration certificate. Before, going ahead with minimum eligibility criteria, it is very importnat to know different types of registration under FCRA. Under foreign contribution regulation act 2010, there are two types of FCRA registrations.

Normal registration

Prior permission registration

Let us look into FCRA rules and FCRA regulations for minimum eligibility under these two types of registration mentioned above:

FCRA rules

Normal Registration

Following conditions need to be fulfilled under FCRA rules to get a normal registration:

It is mandatory under FCRA rules that applicant must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
or the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 or registered as Section 8 Company as per the Companies Act, 2013 or any such Act as may be required.

FCRA regulations states that applicant must have made reasonable contribution under hosen field for the benefit of society.

Must have spent a minimum of Rs. 10,00,000 in the last 3 years towards achieving its objectives

Foreign contribution regulation act 2010 makes it mandatory to submit last 3 years audited financial statement of the firm.

Prior Permission

FCRA regulations have separate provision for newly registered entities who want to receive foreign funding from abroad. Prior permission is granted for a specific donor and user for a specific project.

It is mandatory under FCRA rules that applicant must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 or registered as Section 8 Company as per the Companies Act, 2013 or any such Act as may be required.

For obtaining a FCRA registration number, firm needs to submit specific commitment letter from the donor to Ministry of Home affairs which contains amount of donation to be given and purpose for donation.

It is advisable under FCRA rules to not have common members in donor and home organizations. FCRA regulations states that chief of Indian firm cant be a member of foreign donor firm. Moreover, At least 51% members of Indian firm cant be member of foreign donor firm.

To apply for FCRA registration, organization can visit FCRA website. FCRA website contains all required information like FCRA application links and forms to be filled for obtaining a FCRA registration number.