Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched FCRA 2.0 portal and e-OCI Card in the national capital, saying the initiatives will prove highly beneficial as it will ensure convenience for the citizens.
According to Shah, both the initiatives will enhance facilities for citizens and, in particular, will resolve the difficulties faced by those receiving donations through the FCRA portal.
The Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and several other senior officials concerned were present on the occasion.
Shah recalled that in 2014, when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he had said that the government would work on the principle of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’. When the intention is clear, the policy is transparent, and there is a mindset to embrace technology, then all forms of governance become very easy for honest people, a strict surveillance system is put in place for wrongdoers, and the country can be made increasingly secure.
He stated that prior to 2014, the FCRA system was entangled in files and procedures and was beyond proper oversight, which is critical for both national security and development. After the formation of the Modi government in 2014, the system was strengthened, and now the renewal of the FCRA portal will greatly enhance ease of operations for organisations.
He noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of applications and donations during the past years, and keeping this in view, reducing paperwork and ensuring real-time effective monitoring of foreign contributions is very important for the country’s security.
Due to FCRA law, monitoring on foreign contributions coming with wrong intentions will increase, Shah said, adding that with the launch of this new system, the process of physically submitting documents will be eliminated.