FAQs for VOs/NGOs

FAQs for VOs/NGOs

What is a Voluntary Organization (VO) / Non Governmental Organization (NGO)?

Voluntary organizations (VOs) / Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) include organizations engaged in public service, based on ethical, cultural, social, economic, political, religious, spiritual, philanthropic or scientific & technological considerations. VOs include formal as well as informal groups, such as: community-based organizations (CBOs); non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs); charitable organizations; support organizations; networks or federations of such organizations; as well as professional membership associations.

VOs / NGOs should broadly have the following characteristics:

• They are private, i.e., separate from Government
• They do not return profits generated to their owners or directors
• They are self-governing, i.e., not controlled by Government
• They are registered organizations or informal groups, with defined aims and objectives

In India a Voluntary Organization / Non Governmental Organization can be registered as Trusts, Societies, or a private limited nonprofit company, under section-25 Company of the Indian Companies Act, 1956.

2. What is NGO Partnership System?

The NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) is a platform of interface between Voluntary Organization (VO) / Non Governmental Organization (NGO) and key Ministries / Departments / Government Bodies. Later it is proposed to cover all Central Ministries / Departments / Government Bodies.

The key Ministries/Departments/ Government Bodies in the first phase are M/o Culture, M/o Health & Family Welfare, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, M/o Tribal Affairs, M/o Women & Child Development, D/o Higher Education, D/o School Education & Literacy, Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB).

This is a free facility offered by the Planning Commission in association with National Informatics Centre to bring about greater partnership between government & voluntary sector and foster better transparency, efficiency and accountability. The NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) started out as an initiative of the Prime Minister's Office, to create and promote a healthy partnership between VOs/NGOs and the Government of India. The Planning Commission is coordinating and managing the portal, since July 2009.

3. Who can Sign Up on the NGO Partnership System?

Any VO / NGO which is registered as a trust/ society/ a private limited nonprofit company, under section-25 Company of the Indian Companies Act, 1956 can Sign Up on the NGO Partnership System.

4. Is individual registration allowed?

As of now no Individual (person) Registration is allowed.

5. What are the facilities provided by NGO Partnership System?

The NGO-PS helps VOs/NGOs to:

• Get details of existing VOs / NGOs across India
• Get details of the schemes of the participating Ministries/Departments/Government Bodies (mentioned at home page) offering grants to VOs / NGOs
• Apply on - line for NGO grants
• Track status of your applications for grants

6. Does the NGO-PS or the Planning Commission provide grants to VOs/NGOs?

The NGO-PS does not sanction/provide grants to VOs/NGOs. Various ministries/departments/government bodies provide and sanction grants to VOs/NGOs under different schemes listed in the NGO-PS. A list of Nodal Officers for different schemes has been displayed on the website. Any query regarding schemes can be clarified with the concerned Nodal Officer.

7. How does one use the NGO Partnership System?

• All VOs/NGOs which are already registered as trusts/ societies/ private limited nonprofit companies are invited to Sign Up on the NGO Partnership System (NGO-PS) Portal/Website.
• Inside the box with "New Users" Heading, a "Sign Up" button is available.
• On clicking that button, an online form will appear which you are required to fill in and click on 'Submit' button for getting enlisted with the Website/Portal.
• While filling in the form, you are required to make a UserID (can be any word or name which you can remember and use in the future for Logging in to your account) and a password.
• Once you click on the submit button after entering all your details, you will get a message on the screen, saying "You are Successfully Registered."
• Then you can use your UserID and the password to Login into the website and avail the facilities.

8. How does one fill the Online Form and Sign Up with the NGO Partnership System?

There are certain blocked characters which are not allowed in the fields/boxes due to cyber security reasons.

You are advised to refer to the tool tips (icon named "?") given against each of the entry field (box), and at Right Hand Side top corner, "Tips to Fill in the Form", about the allowed characters in the fields. Fields entered with blocked characters are not permitted due to cyber security reasons.

For eg .(dot)s are not allowed in any of the "Name" fields under "Ngo Details" , in password field one capital letter (A, B, C...Z) and one number(0,2,3..9) is mandatory and the length should be more than 6 letters.

Other blocked characters include the following:

' (apostrophe comma)

\ (backward or reverse slash)

= (equals)

In addition, words like 'select, drop, insert' mentioned in the list of the tool tips have also been blocked. Even words with the sequence of 'select', 'drop', 'insert', 'delete' like 'selection' , 'selected', 'selects' or 'dropped' 'drop-out', 'inserted', 'deletes' etc will be rejected.

The website URL field accepts only addresses starting from "http://" so if you don't have any address to give there just leave it blank.

While filling up the "Date of Registration" field, kindly use the calendar given beside the field and you can use the arrows given there to change the months and years.

You are also advised to take care of the file size you are uploading in the Certificate field. it should be less than 2MB - it would be easier to upload a .jpg file .

9. What Documents are to be uploaded at the time of Signing Up?

• Registration Certificate should be scanned in pdf or jpg (preferably) format, and uploaded. The size of the file should be less than 2MB.
• Incase of Trust deeds, only the first page and the page with the signature on it should be scanned and uploaded. Instructions for uploading are the same as (i) above.

10. How does one edit/modify one's profile?

To edit your profile, you need to log into the website using your UserID and Password form the Login box on the first page of the website under the heading VO/NGO Signing In for Signed Up users.

Once you are Logged In, on the Right Hand Side on the top there is a link Edit Profile, on clicking this, you can do the required editing of your profile.

11. I am having difficulty in Logging In. What could be the problem?

If Error Message is 'Invalid Character Found. Invalid UserID / Password.'- The problem is either with your User Id or Password. If Error Message is 'Invalid Code.'- The problem is with the Verification Code, which is shown in the image and is not matching with the one you are entering in the box/field. Be careful while entering the verification code from the image. If the image is sowing a letter 'in capitals', please enter it in capitals only. Similarly if the image is sowing a letter 'in small case', please enter it in small case only. In case the image is showing a number, enter the number, without any spaces in between.

You may be using the wrong User ID and Password. Try with the correct UserID and Password. In case you have forgotten your password, you can use the 'Forgot Your Password' link. Please check the Caps Lock and Num Lock on your keyboard while entering the Login info as the password field is case sensitive.

12. I have forgotten my password. Can you help?

You can use the 'Forgot Your Password' link which you can find just below the Login area.

Or

If you still fail and if your UserID/Username is with you, you can mail us at ngo@india.gov.in mentioning your UserID/Username and requesting us to reset your password.

13. What if I have forgotten both my User ID and Password. Can you still help?

If you have forgotten both your User ID and Password, you can write to us tell us at ngo@india.gov.in , requesting us to delete all your details. You will then have to Sign Up afresh with the Website/Portal.

14. What is the difference between your Unique ID and UserID/SignUp ID ?

Unique Id is just to recognize you and you may be asked to fill it in at the time of applying for grants. It will be used, just for your identification.

The Sign Up ID is the ID, which is to be used for logging in along with your Password.

15. How does one apply for NGO grants?

To apply for grants the first step is to create your account / sign up with your own UserID and Password.

Once you login into your account, there are various links available, for viewing the department-wise schemes, providing NGO grants. Select the scheme under which you want to apply for a grant. The link to your selected scheme will provide you with all the details of the scheme - format in which you have to apply, documents you need to attach etc.

You can get the details of the Nodal Officers for the concerned scheme, from the website. Any queries regarding schemes or about how to proceed for schemes and grants will be clarified by the respective Nodal Officers.

Income tax dated October 30th 2009 - CBDT Press Release on Vodafone

CBDT Press Release on Vodafone

No.402/92/2006-MC (25 of 2009)

Government of India / Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

***

New Delhi dated 30th October 2009

PRESS RELEASE

The Income Tax department has issued a detailed notice today under section 201(1) and 201(1A) of the IT Act 1961 to Vodafone International Holdings BV(VIH BV) requiring it to show cause as to why it should not be held that the Department has competent jurisdiction to proceed against it for the default of non-deduction of tax at source from the payment of USD 11.2 billion made on 8th May 2007 to Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd (HTIL) for transfer of interest in the Indian company Hutch Essar Ltd (HEL).

An earlier notice issued in the matter to VIH BV was challenged before the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in a writ petition, which was dismissed with costs on 3^rd December 2008. VIH BV filed a special leave petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India against the order of the High Court. On 23rd January 2009, the apex court dismissed the appeal of VIH BV with the direction that they should subject themselves to the jurisdiction of the assessing officer with the liberty to “Question the decision of the authority on the preliminary issue before the High Court, in the event the same is decided against it ”.

The date fixed for compliance of the notice is 16th November 2009.

RBI dated October 30, 2009 - Auction of Government of India Dated Securities

Auction of Government of India Dated Securities

Ref.No.IDMD / 2004/08.02.033/2009-10

October 30, 2009

All Scheduled Commercial Banks excluding RRBs/
All State Co-operative Banks/All Scheduled Primary
(Urban) Co-operative Banks /All Financial Institutions/
All Primary Dealers

Dear Sirs,

Auction of Government of India Dated Securities

Government of India have offered to sell (re-issue) of  (a) “7.32 percent  Government Stock 2014 ” for a notified amount of Rs.3,000 crore (nominal) through a price based auction using uniform price method vide Notification No.4(1)-W&M/2009 dated October 30, 2009, (b) “6.35 percent Government Stock 2020” for a notified amount of Rs.4,000 crore (nominal) through a price based auction using uniform price method vide Notification No.4(1)-W&M/2009(i) dated October 30, 2009 and (c) “7.50 percent Government Stock 2034” for a notified amount of Rs. 2,000 crore (nominal) through a price based auction using uniform price method vide Notification No.4(1)-W&M/2009(ii) dated October 30, 2009. The Reserve Bank of India at Mumbai will conduct the auctions on November 6, 2009. The salient features of the auctions and the terms and conditions governing the issue of the Stocks are given in the Notifications (copies enclosed), which should be read along with the General Notification F. No.  4 (13)–W&M/2008, dated October 8, 2008 issued by Government of India.

2.  We wish to draw your attention, in particular, to the following:

1. The Stocks will be issued for a minimum amount of Rs.10,000/- (nominal) and in multiples of Rs.10,000/- thereafter.
2. In all the auctions, Government Stock up to 5% of the notified amount of sale will be allotted to the eligible individuals and institutions under the Scheme for Non-competitive Bidding Facility in the Auctions of Government Securities (enclosed with the notifications F. No.4 (1)-W&M/2009, F. No.4 (1)-W&M/2009(i) and F. No.4 (1)-W&M/2009(ii) all dated October 30, 2009). Each bank or PD on the basis of firm orders received from their constituents will submit a single consolidated non-competitive bid on behalf of all its constituents in electronic format on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS).  Allotment under the non-competitive segment to the bank or PD will be at the cut-off price that will emerge in the auction on the basis of the competitive bidding.
3. Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) on November 6, 2009. Bids in physical form will not be accepted except in extraordinary circumstances such as general failure of the NDS system. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
4. An investor can submit more than one competitive bids at different prices in electronic format on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS). However, the aggregate amount of bids submitted by a person in an auction should not exceed the notified amount of auction.
5. On the basis of bids received, the Reserve Bank will determine the minimum price up to which tenders for purchase of Government Stock will be accepted at the auctions. Bids quoted at rates lower than the minimum price determined by the Reserve Bank of India will be rejected. Reserve Bank of India will have the full discretion to accept or reject any or all bids either wholly or partially without assigning any reason.
6. The result of the auctions will be announced on November 6, 2009 and payment by successful bidders will be on November 9, 2009 (Monday).
7. The Government Stocks will be issued by credit to Subsidiary General Ledger Account (SGL) of parties maintaining such account with Reserve Bank of India or in the form of Stock Certificate. Interest on the Government Stock will be paid half-yearly.
8. The Government Stocks will be repaid at par on October 20, 2014, January 2, 2020 and August 10, 2034, respectively.
9. The Stocks will qualify for the ready forward facility.
10. The Stock will be eligible for “When Issued” trading during the period November 3-6, 2009 in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued’ transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI /2006-07/178 dated November 16, 2006 as amended from time to time.

Yours faithfully,

(Rajendra Kumar)
Deputy General Manager

Encls:  As above

FEMA Circular No 14 dated October 30, 2009 - Participants under ACU Mechanism - Inclusion of Maldives Monetary Authority

Maldives Monetary Authority now ACU Member

RBI/2009-10/203
A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 14

October 30, 2009

To

All Authorised Dealer Category - I Banks

Madam / Sir,

Participants under ACU Mechanism-
Inclusion of Maldives Monetary Authority

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category - I) banks is invited to Section 3 of Article III of the General Provisions of Agreement Establishing the Asian Clearing Union, regarding participation in the Asian Clearing Union and Regulations  contained in the Notification No. FEMA 14/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 [Foreign Exchange Management (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2000], as amended from time to time.

2. In the meeting of the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) Board of Directors held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on June 16, 2009, the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has been admitted in the Asian Clearing Union as a Member. The Maldives Monetary Authority will commence ACU operations with effect from January 1, 2010. All the provisions of ACU mechanism, as applicable to ACU member countries, unless otherwise specifically exempted, will be applicable to Maldives Monetary Authority. AD Category - I banks may follow the provisions contained in the Memorandum of Procedure for Channelling Transactions through Asian Clearing Union (ACU) [Memorandum ACM] and the regulations contained in FEMA Notification referred to above in this regard.

3. Necessary amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2000 and Memorandum of Procedure for Channelling Transactions through Asian Clearing Union (ACU) [Memorandum ACM] are being issued separately.

4.  AD Category – I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.

5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.

Yours faithfully,

( D. Mishra )
Chief General Manager

RBI dated October 30, 2009 - Inoperative Accounts

Inoperative Accounts

RBI/2009-10/202
DBOD.Leg. No.BC. 55 /09.07.005 /2009-10

October 30, 2009

All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)

Dear Sir,

Inoperative Accounts

Please refer to Paragraph 24.2 (iv) of our Master circular DBOD. No.Leg. BC. 9 / 09.07.006 / 2009-10  dated July 1,  2009 on 'Customer Service' in terms of which a savings as well as current account should be treated as inoperative / dormant if there are no transactions in the account for a period over two years. Further, in terms of Paragraph 24.2 (vi), for the purpose of classifying an account as inoperative, both the types of transactions i.e., debit as well as credit transactions induced at the instance of customers as well as third party should be considered.

2. There may be instances where the customer has given a mandate for crediting the interest on Fixed Deposit account to the Savings Bank account and there are no other operations in the Savings Bank account. Some doubts have arisen whether such an account is to be treated as inoperative account after two years.

3. In this connection, we clarify that since the interest on Fixed Deposit account is credited to the Savings Bank accounts as per the mandate of the customer, the same should be treated as a customer induced transaction. As such, the account should be treated as operative account as long as the interest on Fixed Deposit account is credited to the Savings Bank account. The Savings Bank account can be treated as inoperative account only after two years from the date of the last credit entry of the interest on Fixed Deposit account.

Yours faithfully,

(B. Mahapatra)
Chief General Manager

Custom (NT) N/No 158/2009 dated October 28, 2009 - Exchange Rate notification for Import / Export of goods with effect from 1stNovember, 2009

Exchange Rate notification for Import / Export of goods with effect from 1st November, 2009

[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, PART-II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (ii), EXTRAORDINARY]

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
CENTRAL BOARD OF EXCISE AND CUSTOMS

Notification No. 158/2009-Customs (N.T.)

28 ^th  October, 2009
  6 Kartika, 1931 (SAKA)

S.O.       (E). – In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No. 146/2009-CUSTOMS (N.T.), dated the 25 ^th  September, 2009  vide  number S.O. 2460 (E), dated the 25 ^th   September 2009,   except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Excise and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currency specified in column (2) of each of Schedule I and  Schedule II annexed hereto into Indian currency or  vice versa  shall, with effect from 1 ^st  November, 2009 be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column (3) thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.

SCHEDULE-I

S.No.	Foreign Currency	Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
(1)	(2)	(3)
		(a)		(b)
		(For Imported Goods)	(For Export Goods)
1.	Australian Dollar	43.65	42.45
2.	Canadian Dollar	44.45	43.25
3.	Danish Kroner	9.55	9.20
4.	EURO	70.65	68.90
5.	Hong Kong Dollar	6.10	6.00
6.	Norwegian Kroner	8.45	8.20
7.	Pound Sterling	77.50	75.55
8.	Swedish Kroner	6.95	6.75
9.	Swiss Franc	46.75	45.40
10.	Singapore Dollar	34.00	33.10
11.	US Dollar	47.30	46.40

SCHEDULE-II

S. No.	Foreign Currency	Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
(1)	(2)	(3)
		(a)	(b)
		(For Imported Goods)	(For Export Goods)
1.	Japanese Yen	51.60	50.15

[F.No.468/16/2009-Cus.V]
(SATISH KUMAR REDDY)
Director to the Government of India

Revision of the Scheme of National Research Professorship

Revision of the Scheme of National Research Professorship 

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Human Resource Development for revision of rates of honorarium, pension and contingency allowances under the Scheme of National Research Professorship with effect from 1.4.2009.

The revised rates are as follows :

(i) Rate of monthly honorarium for serving National Research Professors has been enhanced from Rs.25,000 to Rs.75,000 with effect from 1.4.2009;
(ii) Rate of monthly pension for Pensioners enhanced from Rs.9,000 to Rs.25,000 with effect from 1.4.2009;
(iii) Rate of annual contingency grant for serving National Research Professors has been enhanced from Rs.50,000 to 1,00,000 with effect from 1.4.2009;
(iv) Honorarium and pension will continue to be exempt from Income Tax under Section 10(17A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Background :

Government of India had instituted the Scheme of National Research Professorship in 1949, to honour distinguished academics and scholars in recognition of their contribution to knowledge. Persons of real eminence who have attained the age of 65 years and who have made outstanding contribution in their respective fields and are still capable of productive research, are considered for appointment as National Research Professors. The appointment is made initially for a period of 5 years which is extendable by another term of five years. After completion of first term or the extended second term, a NRP is entitled to a life pension.

In 1949, the rate of honorarium was Rs.2500 per month. The rates of honorarium and pension have been revised from time to time and at the time of last revision in 1998-99, the rate of honorarium was Rs.25,000 per month, the rate of pension was Rs.9,000 per month. The contingency grant was Rs.50,000/- per annum. Considering the rate of inflation and in view of the erosion of rupee value, the rates of honorarium/pension/contingency grant need upward revision.

Amendment to the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Sugarcane (Control ) Order 1966

Amendment to the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Sugarcane (Control ) Order 1966

The Union Cabinet today gave its ex-post approval to changing the concept of “minimum price” to “fair and remunerative price” of sugarcane by Amendment to section 3 (3C) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 by promulgation of EC (Amendment & Validation) Ordinance 2009 on 21.10.2009 and consequential amendment to the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 vide Order dated 22.10.2009.

Following these amendments, a fair and remunerative price of sugarcane to be paid by sugar mills in 2009-10 sugar season has been approved by the Government at Rs.129.84 per quintal linked to 9.5 % recovery subject to a premium of Rs.1.37 per quintal for every 0.1 per cent increase in the recovery above 9.5 per cent. This price will be uniformly applicable in all the States.

The deletion of the proviso has been made to make the wording of item (g) free of any future ambiguity regarding working of the margins of risk and profit and also to reduce the possibility of litigation on computation of fair and remunerative price.

By introducing F&RP from 2009-10 sugar season, the sugarcane farmers will get a higher price for sugarcane in 2009-10 sugar season as compared to Rs.107.76 per quintal which was fixed on 25th June, 2009.