Parliament passed a Bill to regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or hospitality to NGOs, individuals or associations to prevent any activities detrimental to national interest, with its clearance by the Rajya Sabha.

The Bill-Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2006, has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. Replying to the discussion, Home Minister P Chidambaram said there were more than 40,000 registered NGOs in the country of which nearly half had not submitted their accounts to the government for the past many years. Only half the number was regularly submitting their financial accounts.

If assuming that nearly Rs 10,000 crore were accounted for by the first half, an equal amount could be assumed to have been received by those who had not submitted their accounts.

It was that amount which raised the government's concern and the Bill would ensure strict regulation and punishment for such cases. The Minister said that if somebody or organisation accepted foreign hospitality, permission would have to be sought from the government.

He said some NGOs/associations were prohibited from accepting the foreign contribution while some were regulated. It was those who were regulated that they had to 'come up' for registration. He said the Bill also ensured stricter punishment for any violators.

The House earlier deliberated the Bill to consolidate the law to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain individuals or associations or companies for any activities detrimental to national interests.