The government on Thursday gave a one-time exemption to NGOs, whose FCRA registrations were cancelled for not filing annual returns, to apply for registration within three months, a move which may benefit hundreds of organisations.
It has been further decided that for uploading missingannual returns on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Portal, nopenalty will be imposed, according to a Home Ministry order.
The exemption is a one-time measure and available only tothose associations whose certificates have been cancelled only because ofnon-filing of annual returns, the order said.In case of other violations of the provisions ofthe FCRA, the associations will have to ensure that these violations, exceptnon-submission of annual returns, are compounded before making freshapplication for grant of registration or prior permission, it said.