Over 18K NGOs did not file annual returns for 5 years

More than 18,000 NGOs did not file their annual income and expenditure statements for the five-year period between 2010-11 and 2014-15, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"More than 18,000 NGOs, who did not file due annual returns from financial year 2010-11 to 2014-15, were given one month time to upload the missing annual returns pertaining to the above period," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply.

Rijiju said more than 8,000 NGOs complied with the directions of the government. Around 6,000 defaulting ones have been served showcause notices, he said. The minister also said a number of NGOs, registered under the FCRA, with invalid bank accounts were asked to validate the same.