Decide within 8 weeks if COVID19 supplies to NGO can be exempted from purview of FCRA: Delhi High Court to Centre

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Central government to treat as representation a PIL seeking exemption of contributions/supplies relating to management and/or treatment COVID-19 from the ambit of the Foreign Contribution (Regulations) Act 2010 during the ongoing pandemic. .A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh directed the Central government to decide the representation in accordance with the law, rules and government policy, preferably within eight weeks..The Court was dealing with the PIL preferred by Shri Sai Kripa Society (petitioner) which claimed that it had been arranging for medical supplies and support to pandemic-affected families and individuals. .In its petition, the petitioner informed the Court that a Person of Indian Origin in United States of America has expressed his desire to contribute oxygen concentrators and other life-saving drugs/medicines through the petitioner. .It is the petitioner's case that since the Central government has already exercised its powers to permit duty free import of oxygen concentrators for personal use, including gifts, the same benefit should be extended to societies as well..Granting such relief, the petitioner said, would help in timely administration and utilization of the oxygen concentrators/drugs to save precious lives of ailing citizens.."Not only is such a direction in line with the steps view taken by the Respondent, such easement / relaxation of FCRA provisions is expedient to protect the fundamental right to life by providing them essential medical supplies relating to COVID-19 management/treatment either at medical facility or home quarantine.", the petition reads. .Section 7 of FCRA prohibits transfer of foreign contribution received by a person to any other person. Thus, if a foreign contribution is received, in kind, by a person duly registered /permitted under the FCRA then Section 7 puts an embargo on further distribution of such essential material..The petition was filed through Advocate Gaurav Gupta. Senior Avdocate Vikas Singh appeared for the petitioner.