How FCRA Is Strangulating NGOs and COVID Relief Work
Moneylife Digital Team
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Even as India continues to struggle with the second wave of COVID-19, many countries, corporates, non-profit organisations, and individuals have extended a helping hand for the victims. However, a sweeping change in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) is choking off foreign aid just when the country needs it desperately. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which was passed in September 2020 has become the worst punishment that Indian government could have inflicted on non-government organisations (NGOs) that are providing relief to people during the pandemic.
Many media, including those from abroad, are highlighting the ill-effects of the FCRA amendment and how it is blocking foreign aid for COVID-19 relief in India. The effect is far reaching, says an article in The
Companies scramble to protect their workers from India’s Covid surge
Big banks and accounting firms do most of their business in New York, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo. But they wouldn’t be able to function without their back offices, many of which are located in Covid-stricken India.
Financial services firms have outsourced a huge number of information technology and operations jobs to India in recent decades, attracted by an educated workforce and cheaper labor costs. Almost 4.4 million people in the country are employed in IT and business process management, according to the National Association of Software and Service Companies, a trade body.
Indian official to attend G7 virtually after being exposed to Covid-19
India s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, right, attends a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken following a bilateral meeting in London, on Monday, May 3. Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
As the G7 Foreign and Development Minister s Meeting kicks off in London on Wednesday, the Indian representative will only attend virtually after being exposed to possible Covid positive cases.
India s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said he was made aware of the possible exposure on Tuesday evening. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well, Jaishankar said in a tweet Wednesday.
Nepal s army tells retired medical staff to get ready to help
From Kosh Raj Koirala in Kathmandu
Nepalese army officials salute as they pay homage to the bodies of coronavirus victims at a crematorium in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 1. Bikash Karki/AFP/Getty Images
Nepal’s army has told its retired medical staff to be ready to be recalled for duty to help manage the growing Covid-19 crisis in the country.
Army Spokesperson Santosh Ballav Poudel told CNN that the decision was made at a meeting held by the Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa on Wednesday.
Nepal’s army has already been drafted to help build the necessary infrastructure for isolation facilities and coordinated the management of the remains of Covid-19 victims.