Govt bans 72 NGOs from receiving foreign contribution

The government has frozen accounts of 32 Non-Governmental Organisations and banned 72 other voluntary organisations from receiving foreign contributions for alleged irregularities.

Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said that on the basis of the complaints received in the past and enquiries made, 24 cases have been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, while 10 cases have been given to state police.

"Thirty-five NGOs have been placed in prior permission category, accounts of 32 NGOs have been frozen, 72 NGOs have been prohibited from receiving foreign contribution and registration of 4,349 NGOs have been cancelled," he told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The minister said there were reports that some organisations were diverting funds for purposes other than for which the funds were meant and such cases were being looked into.

A total of Rs 9,946.91 crore was received as foreign contribution by various NGOs in 2007-08 and Rs 10,993.56 crore was received as foreign contribution by the NGOs in 2008-09. Rs 10,352.07 crore was received by various NGOs as foreign contribution during 2009-10.