Foreign donations have been banned after canceling the license of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO.
Sonam Wangchukuk: Ladakh social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO (NGO) and activities related to foreign funding have been questioned. The CBI has also started investigating the matter. The license of the NGO has been canceled. Describing it as a revenge action, Wangchuk said, “The blame of violence during the demonstration has been blamed on him.
Come, let us know what the organization of Wangchuk does? When and how NGO started? What is FCRA? What are the rules for taking foreign donations to any NGOs in the country?
Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIL)
Sonam Wangchuk founded the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1994. Its purpose was to provide relevant and practical education to the youth of Ladakh by linking it with local needs and culture. Later, as an extension of this thinking, he laid the foundation of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIL). The foundation of Secmol was laid in 1994 so that the children do not suppress only under the burden of paper degree but also learn real life skills.
HIL takes shape in approximately 2017-18, the idea behind which finding solutions for Ladakh and Himalayan region that are environmental-sensitive. Its clear objective was decided to solve issues like climate change, ecology and education reform based on local experiences.
What is FCRA?
- Many NGOs in India depend on foreign funding. But this funding cannot come directly. Law has been made for this.
- The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) first came into force in 1976 and was later revised in 2010.
- Under this, if any NGO wants to take foreign funds, then it is mandatory to register FCRA from the government.
Why was the license of Wangchuk’s NGO canceled?
According to the government and media reports, their permissions were canceled after the alleged irregularities were revealed in the registration related to SECMOL and HIL. The main reasons for this were given as follows.
- Several times required information in reporting was not submitted on time
- The use of the funds received and declared in declared objectives was reported.
- The government argues that there is no transparency for the use of foreign donations.
- As a result, the Ministry of Home Affairs canceled the FCRA license renewal.
- Being canceled the license means that now the organization cannot directly take foreign donations.
- They will only have to work with domestic funds, donations, or CSR.
How to get the license back?
- The provision for re -registration of FCRA registration in India is fixed.
- The organization will first have to clarify the points which led to the cancellation.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs can be applied for reconsideration.
- If there is no criminal case in the use of funding, then registration is possible by taking corrective steps.
- The shelter of the court can also be visited if the cancellation was unfair.
- The organization can re -create its credibility by strengthening transparent accounting and regular reporting.
Sonam Wangchuk
Why did the CBI probe start?
Complaints about the foreign donations and use of NGO reached the government. It is alleged that the use of some amount has been on the besides declared objectives. CBI probe is considered a normal process in cases of FCRA violations. However, this investigation is still at an early level and the final decision is yet to be revealed. This is only a test. The CBI has not registered any case.
Wangchuk not alone, many licenses were canceled
This case is not only about Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO. Thousands of NGOs have been canceled in the last few years, including small names from small organizations to big names. The government argues that foreign funding may be misused against the national interest. On the other hand, many social workers say that the rules are so strict that the working organizations are suffocated.
Also read: The project of Sonam Wangchuk which was a solution to water crisis in Ladakh?