NGOs have to register with NITI Aayog for grants
Stepping
up its scrutiny of NGOs, especially their financial dealings, the Centre has
made obtaining unique identification numbers and registering them on the NITI
Aayog portal, including the details of the Aadhaar and PAN numbers of all their
trustees and office- bearers, mandatory for them to apply for grants from any
ministry.
- The decision was taken by the Aayog at its meeting on May 9, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired following which all ministries have been directed to process the proposal for grants and releases to the NGOs only through the Aayog’s portal.
Review meeting:
At
the meeting to review the progress in providing unique identifiers to entities,
Aadhar enrolment and provision of direct benefit transfer and services, it was
also decided that a system should be developed to give unique entity numbers to
charitable trusts and societies.
Details:
- June 26 government notification said if an NGO receives government funding in excess of Rs 1 crore, those handling its day-to-day operations will be treated as public servants under the Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Act (2013). In case of foreign funding, this limit was pegged at Rs 10 lakh a year.
- The notification also said that managers, directors, board members of NGOs will have to declare their personal assets, jewellery, cash, moveable and immoveable property by July 31. They will also be subject to rules and regulations for government officials under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
- the move aims to smoothen the process of identification, verification and facilitation — at both ends: for beneficiaries as well as contributors.