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Strict vigil on organisations receiving foreign money: Advani

Home Minister L K Advani assured an agitated Lok Sabha during Question Hour that a strict vigil was kept on all organisations receiving foreign contributions. Anyone violating the law would not be spared.

Advani was answering a spate of questions regarding foreign contributions received by Indian non-governmental or other organisations. The home minister said there was a lengthy procedure for verifying the antecedents of the organisation applying for permission to receive foreign contributions and of the source of that money. The process, at times took more than one year for completion.

He said a total of 12,136 organisations had been registered under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act 1976. One hundred and twenty nine, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Ananda Marga, had to seek permission before receiving any money from abroad.

Action had been initiated against certain organisations which received foreign contributions and inquiries were going on. He said all organisations were also expected to file income tax returns through registered chartered accountants.

He stated that political parties, politicians, judges and certain other categories were forbidden from receiving foreign contributions.

Replying specific questions by some members, including Daroga Prasad Saroj, Dr Subramanian Swamy and Basudeo Acharya, the minister said such organisations were constantly monitored. Previous governments had also launched inquiries against some organisations.

Advani said no organisation promoting religious conversions would be allowed to get any funds from abroad. The government was aware of several organisations receiving foreign contributions illegally and reiterated that there was constant monitoring of such cases, including surprise checks.

UNI

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