1. Home Minister Launched Online Analytical Tool To Monitor Foreign Contributions Under FCRA.
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh here today launched an Online Analytical Tool to facilitate closer monitoring of the flow and utilisation of foreign contributions received by various organisations registered or permitted under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. This web-based tool enables decision-makers in various Departments of Government to scrutinise source of foreign funds and their actual use in India. It gives them capacity to take data-driven and evidence-based decisions regarding the compliance of the provisions of the FCRA, 2010. It has analytical features to conduct big data mining and data exploration. Its dashboard will be integrated with the bank accounts of the FCRA-registered entities through the Public Financial Management System for updation of transactional data on a real-time basis.
Shri Rajnath Singh witnessed a presentation on various aspects of the Analytical Tool and appreciated the painstaking work done by all concerned officials. Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba, Director (IB) Shri Rajiv Jain, DG (NIC) Smt. Neeta Verma and officials of Ministry of Home Affairs were present.
There are approximately 25,000 active organisations registered under The FCRA, 2010. Foreign Contributions worth Rs.18,065 crores were received by such organisations from foreign donors for various social, cultural, economic, educational and religious activities during financial year 2016-17. Each FCRA-NGO conducts multiple financial transactions in receiving and spending the foreign contribution. Therefore, there are hundreds of thousands of such transactions annually which can be monitored effectively through this tool. It will, therefore, help the stakeholders in Government to better regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions.
2. Amit Khare Assumes Charge As I&B Secretary.
Amit Khare, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, today assumed charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on superannuation of N K Sinha.
Prior to the appointment as Secretary, Khare was Additional Chief Secretary, Jharkhand government, an official release said.
Earlier, he has served as Principal Secretary, Finance & Planning Department, Jharkhand government.
Khare has also worked as Member Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
He is an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, and holds a Certificate in Public Administration from Syracuse University, US.