Delhi: In a countrywide crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted operations at 40 locations and apprehended around 14 people including home ministry officials, NGO representatives and middlemen for allegedly facilitating the clearance of foreign donations in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, officials said on Tuesday.The operation was launched after a complaint from the Union home ministry to the CBI in this regards, a home ministry spokesperson said.Officials said that when the issue of alleged violations of FCRA was brought to the notice of Home Minister Amit Shah, he directed that the strongest possible action should be taken against those involved.The MHA then lodged the complaint with the CBI, they said.The arrest formalities are going on against some of the apprehended officials and others, they said.During its operation, the CBI found several officials were allegedly involved in exchanging bribes for facilitating clearances of foreign donations to NGOs in alleged violation of FCRA rules, agency officials said.The coordinated operation was going on at around 40 locations including in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mysore and some places in Rajasthan, they said.The operation has so far led to a disclosure of hawala transactions of around Rs 2 crore, they said.—PTI

In a countrywide crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted operations at 40 locations and apprehended around 14 people including home ministry officials, NGO representatives and middlemen for allegedly facilitating the clearance of foreign donations in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, officials said on Tuesday.

CBI raids home ministry officials among others in NGOs' forex scam

Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has named 10 non-government organisations, including the US-based Omidyar, as accused in the case of allegedly conspiring to illegally facilitate the registration and renewal of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licences.FCRA is a mandatory requirement to receive foreign funds.The FCRA unit is part of the foreigners division of the ministry of home affairs and offers services such as renewal of registration, filing annual returns and even fresh registration. To maintain transparency, most of the services are online.Omidyar was placed on a watchlist by the MHA last year and all of its foreign donations were restricted.Omidyar Network is a venture of The Omidyar group that has invested in many fields like media, digital society, education, emerging tech and many others.The NGOs and their associates named as accused in the FIR have been identified as Vageesh, chartered accountant, on behalf of Ganga Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (GOREF); Robin Devadass of NGO The Social Project; Swapan Manna, representative of Srijan Foundation; Chinappan Pichai Pillai of Ayries Multipurpose Social Service Society; Ramaswamy Ranganathan of Centre for Tribal &amp; Rural Development Trust; Alfred Mohanty, administrator of CLC (Christian Life Centre Ministries); Kathera Suresh Kumar, representative of NGO Harvest India; Lungawiruol Khawbung, general secretary of the organisation Reformed Presbyterian Church North East India; Bishnu Mour, president of Nayi Roshni Foundation, a Guwahati-based NGO; apart from the promoters of Omidyar."On 24 April this year, one Devesh Chandra Mishra, being investigated for clearing of permission for receiving foreign remittance worth Rs 3 crore as donation for Omidyar, contacted Tushar Kanti Roy. And in return, Roy assured to arrange permission but demanded 10 per cent of the total remittance as bribe. Devesh Mishra asked to negotiate the bribe amount as 10 per cent was too high for the said work and told Tushar Kanti Roy that the promoters of Omidyar are ready to pay Rs 5 lakhs. Finally, Tushar Kanti Roy said for a mere Rs 5 lakhs he can't talk to his colleagues, they have to give at least seven per cent of the foreign donation as bribe as he has to share it with others as well," the FIR stated.A senior CBI officer said that over a period, the FCRA officials along with middlemen had developed a nexus to extort money to provide a favourable report to NGOs to receive foreign funds. The NGOs then paid bribes to get the requisite clearance for foreign funds."The case is under investigation and more names of NGOs will be added if they are found during investigation," the official said.There were 16,890 FCRA-registered NGOs in the country as of Tuesday.The FCRA registration of nearly 6,000 NGOs had ceased from January 1 as either the MHA refused to renew their application or the NGOs did not apply for registration.On Wednesday, the CBI arrested 14 accused including six public servants and recovered cash of nearly Rs 3.21 crore for alleged "illegal clearance" of FCRA licences in lieu of bribes.—ANI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has named 10 non-government organisations, including the US-based Omidyar, as accused in the case of allegedly conspiring to illegally facilitate the registration and renewal of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licences.

CBI names Omidyar among 10 NGOs in FCRA scam case

Panaji: With a view to seek the support from society to upgrade the primary schools, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that under the Central government initiative 'Vidyanjali' one can adopt these schools and contribute for a good cause. "Primary schools can be adopted, but we are not giving it to those who adopt it. Control will remain with the government," Sawant said. "In case any NGO, young professionals, retired government officers, public private sector institutions wishes to adopt schools and develop infrastructure and provide equipment by giving additional training then they can register themselves on 'Vidyanjali' (portal) platform or contact teachers," Sawant said. "Not only that, even religious institutions and banks from the vicinity can adopt government primary schools and support to upgrade," Sawant said. Sawant said that the government is very serious about primary education. "Only if we impart primary education in a good way, then only its good results would be seen in future," Sawant said. He said that the government was focusing on National Education Policy 2020. "First five years, from age 3 to 8 are very important for students, hence along with teachers parents also should work towards the progress of students," he said. Sources informed that in order to provide teachers to the primary schools across the state, the government has decided to recruit around 142 teachers.
—IANS

With a view to seek the support from society to upgrade the primary schools, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that under the Central government initiative 'Vidyanjali' one can adopt these schools and contribute for a good cause.

 Goa CM urges NGOs, young professionals to adopt primary schools

Chennai: Migratory birds including Flamingos are reaching in large numbers at Point Calimere Bird and Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu's Kodiyakarai. Several tourists, including school children and people from far and wide, are reaching the sanctuary to have a glimpse of the migratory birds that are flocking in.
Ayub Khan, forest ranger of Vedaranyam while speaking to the mediapersons said, "The breeding season has commenced and there are more migratory birds in and around the sanctuary, and expects more in the coming days." He said that unseasonal rain has given the migratory birds splashing in waters.&nbsp;
Sunetra Iyer, a teacher at a school in Tiruchi after reaching the sanctuary while speaking to IANS said, "There is nothing short of a visual treat and it's a beautiful sight. We have come here with the family and have already told my school authorities to bring in children so that they get a good memory." Flamingoes have arrived in large numbers as also spot-billed pelicans, curlew sandpipers, black-winged stilts, lesser sand plovers, common redshanks, little stints, gull-billed terns, brown-headed hulls, and Great knots.
Ayub Khan said that the forest department and authorities are providing maximum support to the people who are reaching the Point Calmirie wildlife sanctuary. A large number of birdwatchers from across South India are reaching the place to have a glimpse of the migratory birds.&nbsp;
Sunil Khan, a birdwatcher from Kerala while speaking to IANS said, "Every year during this time, I come here to watch a variety of birds that have reached here crossing several miles from across continents. We could find Great knots here which is an endangered species and is the most attractive of the migratory birds that have reached here. As a bird watcher, I have been tracking this bird for years." He adds, "The breeding habitat of this bird is Tundra, northeast Siberia, and is on the advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria and is listed as endangered." The forest officials at the Wildlife and bird sanctuary at Point Calimere are expecting more migratory birds in the days to come and a huge tourist influx.&nbsp;
—IANS

Migratory birds including Flamingos are reaching in large numbers at Point Calimere Bird and Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu's Kodiyakarai. Several tourists, including school children and people from far and wide, are reaching the sanctuary to have a glimpse of the migratory birds that are flocking in.

 Migratory birds throng Point Calimere bird sanctuary in TN

New Delhi: In response to questions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on compliance with the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has established a helpline.
According to a notification posted on the home ministry's website, as of Monday evening, 121 tickets (relating to the difficulties and queries) had been resolved on the online helpdesk.
Officials have stated that the helpdesk will assist in resolving concerns that NGOs and other associations have with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).—Inputs from Agencies

In response to questions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on compliance with the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has established a helpline.

Home ministry sets up helpdesk for NGOs registered under FCRA

Los Angeles: Rappers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have shared their first collaboration since 2020’s ‘WAP’ with ‘Bongos’.
“BRING OUT THE BONGOS (sic)”, Megan posted on X (formerly Twitter) alongside two sultry pictures. “Is everybody doing alright?” Cardi B asked, sharing a clip of the video on her social media, reports People magazine.
The track, which features Latin-infused beats, was released alongside a music video, which features Cardi, 30, and Megan, 28, dancing on the beach and pool in extravagant outfits, accessories and bright backgrounds. In the colourful visual, Cardi wears a variety of outfits, including a large, teal feathered hat and an orange bikini top, while Megan rocks a multi-coloured green one-piece in one of her looks, in addition to a golden yellow swimsuit with a matching gold skirt.
As per People, the rappers matched outfits near the end of the video, wearing cherry-red swimsuits.
The pair initially began teasing the release of ‘Bongos’ on Monday via Instagram, revealing their latest collaboration would drop on Friday.
Both musicians, whose real names are Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar and Megan Pete, shared the news with an image of the single’s vibrant artwork. On the cover, the rappers both hold lollipops while wearing matching bodysuits, heels and bracelets in different pastel shades, sporting cotton-candy-coloured curls.
‘Bongos’ marks the two Grammy winners’ first follow-up since their 2020 hit ‘WAP’.
Their past collaboration made history as the first female rap collaboration to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went onto spend four weeks at the top of the charts.
Although Cardi has yet to drop a full-length album since her 2018 debut Invasion of Privacy, ‘Bongos’ is the latest of a handful of singles she’s shared over the past few years.&nbsp;
—IANS

Rappers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have shared their first collaboration since 2020’s ‘WAP’ with ‘Bongos’.

Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion 'Bongos' features rappers dancing on beach, pool in extravagant outfits

Geneva (Switzerland): A group of NGOs and social activists informed the United Nations about the Indian Constitution which protects the country's linguistic minorities, especially in the Northeast region. They were speaking at a side event organised by Sindhi Adhikar Manch (Association) titled “Linguistic Minorities &amp; Human Rights in India” during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The panellists included Gobind Gurbani, CEO of Sindhi Adhikar Manch (Association), Parmita Sarma from Akshar Foundation and Arvind Kumar from Focus Global Reporter. Gurbani addressed the audience and emphasised that Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution provided a fundamental right to linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutes of their choice. Article 350 A empowers the state to establish and impart primary education in the mother tongue Gurbani added that Sindhis came to India empty-handed after partition in 1947 but have been supported by the government as partners in nation-building. Sindhis are also contributing to India’s GDP. Gurbani said: "Our constitution is well defined to linguistic minorities, to minorities, everything is defined. But people from international platforms raise unnecessary issues to malign our government." He further said that external forces want to malign India’s image. “There are a lot of people. You see, I was here for the last eight days and I saw a lot of countries coming against Indians for mining, also for Kashmir. See our constitution. See their constitution. You will understand how India is so a very good and powerful country.” Meanwhile, Parmita highlighted developments in the North Eastern region of India in the last ten years. She commended India’s 2020’, which is a major step to preserve culture, and heritage and provide employment to aspiring students. She cited that the Indian government has taken all steps to develop the NE region and the Prime Minister of India has visited North East 60 times in his tenure, which is now full of healthcare hospitals, technological schools and Management institutes, changing the lives of people of North East. Arvind Kumar explained about Manipur and said that the state has an indigenous population, mainly Meitis and Nagas. Kuki - Zo ethnics mainly came from across the border, that is Myanmar and Bangladesh. Manipur state has a linguistic diversity based on their ethnicity as well they are practising Christianity and Hinduism. Recent clashes in Manipur between Meitis and Kuki Zo community were not religious as falsely propagated by countries like Pakistan and the Western media, he said adding, that the media had a vital role to play in checking their facts while uploading images and captions and hashtags in their Social Media handles. Arvind Kumar conveyed the message that Kukis migrated and settled as refugees from Myanmar. Kukis started poppy cultivation and claimed illegitimate land rights as there are 4000 Kuki refugee settlers in Manipur. Ethnic clashes in Manipur took a toll of vandalising more than 200 Churches, whereas more than 300 Meiti temples were also damaged and not reported by the media, especially from the West. Interestingly, eight Meiti churches were vandalised by the Kuki community in Churachandpur in Manipur. Therefore, there have been losses on both sides, and the clash had no religious motivation. —ANI

A group of NGOs and social activists informed the United Nations about the Indian Constitution which protects the country's linguistic minorities

Indian Constitution Provides Fundamental Rights To Linguistic Minorities: Activists At UNHRC

New Delhi (The Hawk): As part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS), 2023 campaign and taking inspiration from Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for ‘Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath’, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR) along with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized a cleanliness drive at Chhath Ghat, ITO on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti. The Secretary, DoWR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Shri G. Asok Kumar along with senior officials participated in the cleanliness drive that began at 10 AM. A Swachhata Pledge was administered to the gathering and participants were also sensitized about the importance of clean rivers through nukkad natak on the ghat. Around 1000 people joined the drive and more than 6000 kilogram of waste was collected. Ms. Debashree Mukherjee said that the involvement of communities is crucial to ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign and several NGOs, youth groups, children participating in the event is inspiring. She added that the organizations under Ministry of Jal Shakti are participating in this event, led by NMCG. Mr. Asok Kumar, DG, NMCG said that the event is being organized as part of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign that will culminate 2nd October 2023 on Gandhi Jayanti which will be observed as Swachh Bharat Divas across the country. He informed that cleanliness drives, nukkad nataks, cultural events etc. under Namami Gange and Arth Ganga were organized in the past few days along the ghats of River Ganga and its tributaries in the Ganga Basin states as part of this campaign to make cleanliness a mass movement. “It is the duty of each one of us to keep our rivers and water bodies clean,” he said. Shri Kumar said that this is also part of the Clean Yamuna campaign being run by NMCG for the 22 km Delhi stretch from the past one-and-a-half year. The organizations of the Ministry of Jal Shakti including National Water Mission, Central Water Commission, Central Groundwater Board, CSMRS, NWDA etc. also took part in the cleanliness drive. Officials from Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), volunteers from NGOs Tree Craze, YSS, SYA, YPF, FOY, Paryavaran Sanrakshan, Bharatiyam, Saksham Bhoomi Foundation, school and college students, volunteers from Ganga Vichar Manch also joined hands with NMCG to make the event successful. The focus during the drive remained on freeing the ghat from any kind of solid waste. A similar cleanliness drive was also organised by NGOs at Kalindi Kunj ghat in South Delhi. A group of people in white shirtsDescription automatically generated Similar events were also organised along the ghats of River Ganga and its tributaries along the Ganga Basin. Ganga Praharis, Ganga Mitras, Ganga Doots, students, officials from district administration, local people etc. took part in the cleanliness drives as part of Swachhta Hi Sewa campaign. The events are being organised throughout the period of the Swachhta Hi Sewa campaign in states through District Ganga Committees, the district-level arm of NMCG. Ganga Task Force (GTF) also participated in the events Prayagraj, Varanasi and Kanpur. Swachhta Hi Sewa drives were also undertaken at the Namami Gange Sewage Treatment Plants (Nirmal Jal Kendras) premises in the Ganga Basin by the executing agencies.

As part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS), 2023 campaign and taking inspiration from Prime Minister

The Hawk

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CBI raids home ministry officials among others in NGOs' forex scam

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Tag : NGOs

CBI raids home ministry officials among others in NGOs' forex scam

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