At a time when some NGOs are under surveillance for allegedly routing foreign funds to fuel unrest in India, Government records show that nearly, 22,000 voluntary groups have received Rs 10,000 crore donations from abroad for social service during 2009-10.
Of these NGOs, 3,218 belong to Tamil Nadu which together received Rs 1,663.31 crore as contribution from abroad, mostly the US, the UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
The report, prepared by the Home Ministry and vetted by the Union Home Secretary, Mr R.K. Singh, on January 11, came weeks after the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said that NGOs with foreign funds were stoking protests at the Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu.
The Home Ministry has put 12 NGOs under surveillance for allegedly misusing funds while cases have been registered against four others.
“21,508 associations reported a total receipt of Rs 10,337.59 crore as foreign contribution. Among the states and the Union Territories, the highest receipt of foreign contribution was reported by Delhi (Rs 1,815.91 crore), followed by Tamil Nadu (Rs 1,663.31 crore) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 1,324.87 crore).
“Among the districts, the highest receipt of foreign contribution was reported by Chennai (Rs 871.60 crore), followed by Bangalore (Rs 702.43 crore) and Mumbai (Rs 606.63 crore),” the report said.
From the analysis of the data for the last three years — from 2007-08 to 2009-10 — it emerges that the US continues to be the biggest donor country.
Foreign contribution
Among the recipient associations, World Vision India, Tamil Nadu, received the highest amount of foreign contribution (Rs 208.94 crore in 2009-10).
Rural Development Trust, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, received Rs 151.31 crore and Shri Sivasubramania Nadar Educational Charitable Trust, Tamil Nadu, received Rs 94.28 crore as foreign contribution during 2009-10.
Establishment expenses (Rs 1,482.58 crore) is the biggest sector for which foreign contribution was utilised, while Rs 944.13 crore was spent for rural development and Rs 742.42 crore for welfare of children.
The list of foreign donors is topped by the Gospel For Asia Inc, US (Rs 232.71 crore) followed by the Fundacion Vicente Ferrer, Barcelona, Spain (Rs 228.60 crore) and the World Vision Global Centre, US (Rs 197.62 crore).
The report said, though the number of associations reporting receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution is increasing; yet, it is a matter of concern that a large number of registered associations still do not submit their statutory annual returns mandated by the law.
“This deficiency is being suitably addressed to ensure that all registered associations discharge their mandated obligation by submitting their statutory annual returns on time,” it said.
Database
Although there is no centralised database on the number of NGOs in the country and the quantum of finance involved in their operations, unofficial figures indicate that there are over 20 lakh NGOs registered under the Societies' Registration Act, Trust Act etc. The number of NGOs registered under the FCRA would be less than 2 per cent of the total NGOs.