FCRA Prior Permission – Need a Clarification

We have an National Outreach Programme Core team project to fund the Core team @ Rs 31 lakhs pa initially.  We asked the donor in May 2013 for a 5 year MOU but sent him a one year budget of Rs 31 lakhs for period July 13 – June 2014  The donor agreed to 1 year and Rs 25 lakhs and we have a 1 year MOU with him for the Rs 25 lakhs and the signed MOU came back only in January 2014.

We are now applying for the FCRA Prior Permission. 

Qn 1. If we apply for Rs 25 lakhs or even Rs 31 lakhs one year project, attaching the MOU and letter of commitment from the Donor, then we can’t apply again for another 6 months till September even if we find another donor. Is that correct?

Qn 2. If we put in the project for 2 years,( till we get our permanent FCRA registration,  then we can add more donors to the same project before 6 months.  Is that correct? Please clarify

Many thanks

Arvind Kumar

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4 Responses to FCRA Prior Permission – Need a Clarification

  1. Subhash Mittal says:

    Sorry for delayed response. I think Soma has already covered your query well. All I can suggest is that if you can get even if another letter of intent from another donor for this project, then you can go for combined value of prior permission. That way if you can manage yourself, till getting FCRA registration, however if thta is not possible, you can go for prior permission after 6 months after submission.

  2. Ray says:

    Respected Professionals, Greetings to You From Rajahmundry.

    Our Organiazation Got FCRA On 06.12.2012, We Did Not File Any Annual Returns So Far. Because, We Through, We Have to Submit the Returns from 2013 April to 2014 March. ( We Will Submit The Annual Reports in 2014 December). IS This Ok?

    Or Should We Submit The Annual Reports for 2012-2013, ( Actually, Our;s Nil Report)
    What Should We Do Now? If We Need To Submit The Annual Reports for 2012-13 , What is The Procedure for This Delay in Filing The Annual Reports for 2012-2013.

    Please Guide me. I have been Waiting for Your Reply.
    Thanking You, All

    • Subhash Mittal says:

      Sorry Ray, since you posted your query under another query, I think it got missed.

      You need to file even a \’nil\’ return. In your case last date for filing 2012-13 return was 31st Dec 2013. On 29th April\’13 Dept notified a Notification, which authorizes it to levy penalty for late filing. You should immediately contact the Dept. and ensure that return is filed at the earliest. Since delay will only increase the penalty. You can also download the circular regarding penalty for late filing either from SRRF or FCRA website.

  3. B V Soma Sastry says:

    Dear Arvindji,
    Greetings from Hyderabad!

    Please note the following:

    Qn 1. If we apply for Rs 25 lakhs or even Rs 31 lakhs one year project, attaching the MOU and letter of commitment from the Donor, then we can’t apply again for another 6 months till September even if we find another donor. Is that correct?
    The view is correct provided the application for prior permission is made for the same project. If the application is rejected or invalidated by MoHA for any reason then the application for the same project cannot be made till the completion of 6 months. The time limit of 6 months will be calculated from the end of 30 days from the date of submission of online application.

    Qn 2. If we put in the project for 2 years,( till we get our permanent FCRA registration, then we can add more donors to the same project before 6 months. Is that correct? Please clarify
    We can make independent and separate applications for prior permission for different projects. Reapplication for prior permission i.e. 2nd application for the same project cannot be made within a period of 6 months from the date of submission of first application. This means that more donors cannot be added to the same project before 6 months.

    Thanks and regards,

    B V Soma Sastry
    Director – Finance and Admin
    Centre for World Solidarity
    12-13-438, Street No. 1, Tarnaka
    Secunderabad 500 017
    Andhra Pradesh

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