Bageshwar Dham gets govt. nod to receive foreign funds, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Baba Bageshwar Dham, led by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, received FCRA registration from the Union Home Ministry.
• The registration allows the religious body to receive foreign donations for its 'Religious (Hindu)' program.
• As of April 15, 38 NGOs have been granted FCRA registration, with six registered under the 'Religious (Hindu)' category.
• FCRA registration is valid for five years, after which renewal is required.

Detailed Insights:

• FCRA registration is mandatory for NGOs and associations to receive foreign donations for social, educational, religious, economic, and cultural programs.
• Besides Bageshwar Dham, other organizations registered under the 'Religious (Hindu)' category include Ramakrisha Missions, Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan, and Radha Soami Satsang.
• Since 2015, over 18,000 NGOs have had their FCRA registrations cancelled, leaving 14,538 active FCRA-registered NGOs as of April 15.
• The Union government proposed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, but its discussion was deferred following opposition.
• The proposed amendment empowers the Ministry to take over the property and assets of an NGO if its FCRA registration is cancelled or suspended.

Key Concepts Involved:

• FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act): An act that regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and organizations in India.
• NGO (Non-Governmental Organization): A non-profit, voluntary citizens' group organized on a local, national, or international level to address issues in support of the public good.
• Hindu Rashtra: An ideology that advocates for India to be defined primarily by Hindu principles, culture, and identity.