NEW DELHI: The US continues to be the biggest donor for Indian NGOs, contributing a little less than one-third of the total Rs 10,337 crore received by various non-profit voluntary organizations in 2009-10.The latest statistics for the year 2009-10, disclosed by the home ministry in Parliament last week, showed that Germany took second spot, replacing UK which has traditionally been just behind the US in the list of donors in the past several years.The ministry's data showed that the US donated over Rs 3,105 crore to NGOs during the period compared to Rs 1,046 crore by Germany, Rs 1,038 crore by UK, Rs 583 crore by Italy and Rs 509 crore by Netherlands.Analysis of previous home ministry reports shows that these countries have been the top five donors to NGOs for the past several years, consistently giving over 50% of the total foreign contribution.During 2009-10, the highest Rs 944 crore out of the total Rs 10,337 crore of foreign contribution went to organizations working in the field of rural development followed by Rs 742 crore for welfare of children and Rs 630 crore for construction and maintenance of schools and colleges. The year 2008-09 had shown a similar trend. Contribution for AIDS awareness also figured prominently in the past five years.Indian NGOs collectively received foreign contribution to the tune of over Rs 49,968 crore during five years from 2005-06 to 2009-10. A total of 21,508 organizations received such funds for various activities in 2009-10 compared to 21,542 organizations in 2008-09.
"The report of the year 2010-11 is not yet compiled. All non-profit voluntary organizations, which are registered with the home ministry for receiving foreign funds, have been asked to submit their annual return for receipt of such contribution by December 31," an official said.The home ministry's data shows that foreign contributions to voluntary organizations have come not just from rich and developed countries alone. Countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Zambia, Congo and others have also donated funds to different organizations.Although the contribution made by under-developed or developing countries has been quite low compared to the biggies, most of these countries have been providing funds to Indian NGOs consistently for different activities. During 2009-10, India's neighbours like Nepal contributed Rs 12 crore, China Rs 2.8 crore, Afghanistan Rs 1.9 crore, Pakistan Rs 1.2 crore and Bangladesh Rs 86 lakh.Besides rural development, child welfare, environmental programmes and AIDS awareness, foreign funds are also being used for setting up religious schools, education of priests/preachers, religious functions and publication/distribution of religious literature among other activities.Disclosing the details in Parliament, the ministry said, "The annual return submitted by the associations is scrutinized to ensure that recipients of foreign contribution utilize the same in accordance with the stated objectives for which the foreign contribution is received and the money is not diverted to undesirable activities."
"The report of the year 2010-11 is not yet compiled. All non-profit voluntary organizations, which are registered with the home ministry for receiving foreign funds, have been asked to submit their annual return for receipt of such contribution by December 31," an official said.The home ministry's data shows that foreign contributions to voluntary organizations have come not just from rich and developed countries alone. Countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Zambia, Congo and others have also donated funds to different organizations.Although the contribution made by under-developed or developing countries has been quite low compared to the biggies, most of these countries have been providing funds to Indian NGOs consistently for different activities. During 2009-10, India's neighbours like Nepal contributed Rs 12 crore, China Rs 2.8 crore, Afghanistan Rs 1.9 crore, Pakistan Rs 1.2 crore and Bangladesh Rs 86 lakh.Besides rural development, child welfare, environmental programmes and AIDS awareness, foreign funds are also being used for setting up religious schools, education of priests/preachers, religious functions and publication/distribution of religious literature among other activities.Disclosing the details in Parliament, the ministry said, "The annual return submitted by the associations is scrutinized to ensure that recipients of foreign contribution utilize the same in accordance with the stated objectives for which the foreign contribution is received and the money is not diverted to undesirable activities."