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Source: http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/16donations.htm

 

Sathya Sai Trust gets most foreign donations

 

George Iype | August 16, 2003

 

Foreign contributions and donations to scores of Indian voluntary

organisations, religious groups and charitable institutions have

touched a high of Rs 4,535.23 crore (Rs 45.352 billion), though the

government has taken strict measures to check the source of overseas

funds that many organisations receive.

 

According to the latest statistics from the Union home ministry, as

many as 14,598 voluntary organisations and religious groups in India

have received foreign funds worth Rs 4,535.23 crore during the year

2000-2001.

 

While World Vision International, a United States-based Christian

relief and development organisation, is the biggest donor agency for

many Indian voluntary groups, the Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Sathya

Sai Central Trust is the largest recipient of foreign contributions.

 

World Vision donated Rs 80.43 crore (Rs 804.3 million) to the Indian

voluntary groups, while the Sathya Sai Trust received Rs 88.18 crore

(Rs 881.8 million).

 

According to a senior official at the home ministry, foreign

contributions to Indian voluntary organisations and religious have

been steadily increasing over the years.

 

"Foreign contribution to India have come under strict guidelines and

rules; but we have not detected any major frauds in the past two

years. We believe all this money is going for right charitable and

religious purposes across the country," the official told rediff.com.

 

The provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976

regulate the receipt of foreign donations in India. The Foreign

Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 1976 contain various forms

prescribed for this purpose.

 

According to the rules, only an association having a definite

cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme,

after it obtains the prior permission of the Central government, can

receive foreign contribution.

 

The official said 22,924 associations registered under the Act are

allowed to receive foreign funds.

 

But the latest records with the home ministry reveal that only

14,598 associations have filed returns for having received the

foreign donations.

 

"There has been an over 20 per cent rise in the inflow of foreign

contributions in the last two years," the official added.

 

According to the statistics:

 

- The United States heads the list of donor countries to India with

Rs 1,492.62 crore (Rs 14.926 billion), followed by the United

Kingdom -- Rs 677.59 crore (Rs 6.775 billion), and Germany -- Rs

664.51 crore (Rs 6.645 billion).

- The leading donor agency was World Vision International, USA -- Rs

80.43 crore, followed by Foster Parents Plan International, USA --

Rs 76.37 crore (Rs 763.7 million), and Watch Tower Bible and Tract

Society, USA -- Rs. 68.11 crore (Rs 681.1 million). The US-based

World Vision is an international Christian relief and development

organisation that operates in 96 countries.

- The largest recipient of foreign contribution was Sri Sathya Sai

Central Trust -- Rs 88.18 crore (Rs 881.8 million), followed Watch

Tower Bible and Tract Society India, Maharashtra -- Rs 74.88 crore

(Rs 748.8 million), Gospel for Asia, Kerala -- Rs 58.10 crore (Rs

581 million), and Mata Amritanandamayi Mission, Kerala (Rs 23.19

crore (Rs 231.9 million).

- Among the states and union territories, Delhi reported the largest

amount -- Rs 763.05 crore (Rs 7.63 billion), followed by Tamil Nadu -

- Rs 649.45 crore (Rs 6.494 billion), Andhra Pradesh -- Rs 589.52

crore (Rs 5.895 billion), and Kerala -- Rs 360.31 crore (Rs 3.603

billion).