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Amit Shah launches FCRA 2.0 portal and e-OCI card, 50 lakh OCI cardholders will get benefits

By Samira Vishwas

New Delhi, 30 June. Launching the FCRA 2.0 portal and e-OCI card here on Tuesday, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that both the initiatives will increase the convenience of citizens as well as make governance more transparent, secure and technology-based. On this occasion, many senior officials including Union Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau were present.

‘Minimum Government, Work on the principle of ‘maximum governance’

Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is working on the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”. He said that when intentions are clear, policies are clear and there is will to adopt technology, governance becomes easy for honest people and strict for those who violate the rules. He said that both transparency and accountability are being strengthened through technology.

FCRA 2.0 This will result in faster processing and better monitoring

The Union Home Minister said that before 2014, the FCRA system was entangled in files and complex processes and lacked effective monitoring. He said that the Modi government strengthened this system and now the application, renewal, annual return and all other major processes have been completely digitalized through the FCRA 2.0 portal. He said that this will reduce paperwork, speed up disposal of applications and ensure real-time monitoring of foreign contributions.

No need to submit documents now

Amit Shah said that the new system will eliminate the need for physical submission of documents. The portal has been provided with e-sign based authentication, OCR technology, integration with NGO Darpan, banking system and other government databases. He said that the entire data will be safe on ‘Meghraj’ (Government Cloud), which will further strengthen the data security and monitoring system. He informed that FCRA mobile app, AI based chatbot and dedicated online dashboard for banks will also be launched in the coming months.

There will be effective monitoring on foreign contributions

The Home Minister said that the flow of applications and donations related to foreign contribution is continuously increasing. In such a situation, reducing paperwork and effectively monitoring foreign contributions is very important from the point of view of national security. He said that through the FCRA law, more effective monitoring of foreign contributions coming for illegitimate purposes will be ensured.

50 more than a million OCI Cardholders will get benefits

Launching the e-OCI card, Amit Shah said that this new system will provide convenience to more than 50 lakh OCI cardholders. He said that now there will be no need to re-issue the OCI booklet if a new passport is made after the age of 20 years. Cardholders only need to update their new passport details online. He said that the digital OCI card will also eliminate the problem of loss or damage of documents and will provide the facility of real time verification.

Digital system will lead to better service delivery

According to the Home Ministry, the FCRA 2.0 portal will simplify the compliance process for approximately 14,500 active FCRA organizations. This portal will prove to be more effective in disposing of 15,000 to 20,000 applications and about 17,000 annual returns every year. The e-OCI card will provide fast, secure and convenient services to the global Indian diaspora community by making the entire process online. According to the ministry, both the initiatives are important steps towards better good governance, transparency and digital public service delivery.

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