Laws concerning NGOs hazy, says Supreme Court

New Delhi, Sept 14: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that it is alarming and mind boggling that out of the 29.9 lakh NGOs only 2.9 lakh file IT returns. While appointing an amicus curae to suggest guidelines on how to regulate the NGOs , court adjourned hearing on the matter to Sept 23.

A petition was filed seeking a directive to regulate NGOs in the country. It was pointed that there was no regulation and hence directions to this effect be issued.

"The Supreme Court said that the laws relating to the regulation of NGOs is hazy. It is mind boggling that 29.9 lakh NGOs function in India and very few file the details of how they used the funds. There is a need for a legal framework to monitor NGOs," the Supreme Court said.

The Supreme Court was told by the petitioner that only 2.9 lakh out of the 29.9 lakh NGOs file IT returns.

SC said that it finds the need to refer this issue to the law commission. The Law Commission may consider regulating NGOs across the country, the Supreme Court observed.

There is no legislation to ensure accountability and timely audit of NGOs, the court also stated. While adjourning the matter to Sept 23, the court appointed Senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi as amicus curae to suggest what measures can be taken to regulate NGOs.

OneIndia News