All NGOs, which receive foreign donations, have been directed by the home ministry to register themselves with a platform offered by the Niti Aayog to ensure better transparency, efficiency and accountability.
In a notification, the ministry said that existing NGOs, which were registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, and those which are seeking registration or prior permission or accepting foreign contributions are required to register with the DARPAN portal of the Niti Aayog.
The portal enables NGOs to enroll centrally and thus facilitates creation of a repository of information about NGOs sector-wise. It facilitates NGOs to obtain a system generated unique ID as when signed.
The NGOs were directed to register with the DARPAN with necessary information such as organisation PAN, email, mobile number and name of chief functionary as mandated in the portal to generate a unique identification number.
"Please note that any FCRA related services like registration, prior permission, renewal, change details, uploading of annual return etc., shall require the unique DARPAN identification number.
"All NGOs are, therefore, requested to register with DARPAN portal of NITI Aayog and obtain unique IDs," the notification said.
DARPAN provides space for interface between the voluntary organisations/NGOs and key government ministries, departments and government bodies.
It is a free facility offered by the NITI Aayog in association with the National Informatics Centre to bring about greater partnership between the government and voluntary sector and foster better transparency, efficiency and accountability.
The platform has been started to create and promote a healthy partnership between NGOs and the central government. The portal is presently managed by the NITI Aayog.
It is mandatory for all NGOs receiving foreign funding to register under the FCRA.
PTI
