FCRA Registration For Foreign Funds Granted to Golden Temple
Sri Harmandir Sahib has been registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, (FCRA), 2010.
Sikhism followers from all over the world will now be able to credit donations or “daswandh” (one-tenth of the income) directly in a dedicated account of the golden temple after almost three and a half decades.
According to SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, now the foreign Sangats can fulfil their religious aspirations as per their ease. After 1984, foreign-based Sangat was restricted from directly sending donations to the golden temple which is not the case anymore.
The application for registration under FCRA 2010 was made by the management of the golden temple on May 27, 2020.
Foreign-based Sangat had to look for alternatives to send donations or daswandh to Golden Temple as quoted by Longowal.
According to Longowal, many devotees had to send donations for langar, propagation of Sikhism or welfare work through their friends or relatives visiting Amritsar. Now the scenario has changed and they can do it at their ease from their respective countries.
Home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Sri Darbar sahib’s divinity gives strength to us. For decades, the Sangat worldwide was unable to serve there, Modi government’s decision to allow FCRA to the Sri Harmandir Sahib deepens the connect of Seva between the Sangat globally and the Sri Darbar Sahib. A blessed moment”, in reaction to the FCRA registration.
Union Minister for civil aviation and housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said that service to humanity is the main aim of Sikhism. He expressed gratitude to the PM and the home minister for allowing Sikh Sangat around the world to contribute to Seva at Darbar Sahib through FCRA. The request was made on 7th May 2020 and authorization was issued on 9th September 2020.
The SSPC is hopeful for further propagation of Sikhism and the welfare of mankind with the free flow of foreign donations with registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010.
According to Senior vice president of SGPC Rajinder Singh Mehta, more donations will help the propagation of the Sikh religion and also help people in need especially during natural calamities, etc.
