Home Ministry cancels registration of Infosys Foundation

Home Ministry has cancelled registration of Bengaluru-based NGO Infosys Foundation for alleged violation of norms in receiving foreign grants, officials said Monday.

All non-government organisations (NGOs) are mandatorily required to be registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act or FCRA to receive foreign funding.

Home Ministry h last year served show cause notice to Infosys Foundation for failing to submit annual income and expenditure statement on foreign funding for up to six years despite repeated reminders, officials said.

registration was cancelled as Infosys Foundation allegedly did not file income and expenditure statement on foreign funding for past few years, y said.

As per FCRA guidelines, registered associations are required to submit electronically an online annual report with scanned copies of income and expenditure statement, receipts and payment account, balance sheet, etc., for every financial year within nine months of closure of financial year.

Associations which do not receive foreign contribution during a particular year are also required to furnish a 'NIL' return for that financial year within aforesaid period, re guidelines.

When contacted, Infosys Foundation said its de-registration from FCRA followed a request it proactively me to Ministry of Home Affairs.

"This (request) was done as Infosys Foundation does not come under purview of FCRA following amendment me to act in 2016. We h approached ministry to consider this, and thank m for granting our request," said Rishi Basu from foundation's corporate marketing and communications division.

Established in 1996, Infosys Foundation supports projects in education, rural development, health care, arts and culture, and destitute care.

According to foundation's website, its mission is to work in remote regions of India. Sudha Murthy is chairperson of Infosys Foundation.

Union Home Ministry h last year served show cause notices to at least 1,755 NGOs, including a few companies, for failing to submit annual income and expenditure statement on foreign funding for up to six years despite reminders.