The Indian government has announced new rules for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving foreign contributions under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). These rules include requiring NGOs to obtain a "Not a Newspaper" certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India if they engage in publication-related activities, as well as submitting financial statements and audit reports for the past three years. Additionally, NGOs must submit a commitment letter from the donor, a project report detailing proposed expenses, and a declaration that administrative expenses will not exceed 20% of the foreign contribution.
Despite having other mandatory clearances, applications of many international magazines have been returned by the I&B ministry, say senior officials. Magazines in genres like medicine, science and technology, and legal publications are the worst affected as their titles are more often found to be already registered with the government. Since 2006, at least 25 applications from international publishers have been turned down on the ground 'title not available.'
The information and broadcasting ministry has decided to lodge FIRs against the publications for producing "misleading" circulation data to fraudulently obtain its advertisements.
The meeting will take place at the office of the Films Division in Mumbai at 11 am on Tuesday, Vikas Urs, spokesman of the FTII Students' Association, told PTI.
Meanwhile, the three-member committee constituted by the information and broadcasting ministry to examine the "ground situation" at Film and Television Institute of India submitted its report.
The agitating students will meet officials from the information and broadcasting ministry on October 1.
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