Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan granted FCRA licence to receive foreign donations

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan for registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), granting the temple a licence to receive foreign donations. The decision follows the temple's application, made by a management committee that was established after a court intervened and took over the administration of the temple. The committee applied for the FCRA licence to ensure compliance with legal procedures for accepting foreign funds.

The Banke Bihari temple, one of the most renowned religious sites in Vrindavan, was previously managed privately by a family of priests. However, following legal disputes, a court-appointed management committee took control of the temple's administration. The committee then sought the FCRA licence, which allows religious institutions and NGOs in India to receive foreign donations. This move aims to ensure transparency and accountability in handling funds, particularly those received from foreign sources.

Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, all organizations wishing to receive foreign donations must be registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The registration is valid for five years and is subject to renewal. The law stipulates that foreign donations must be received in a designated account at a specific branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) in New Delhi. Additionally, the funds must be used for the purposes specified in the application, with strict restrictions on administrative expenses. These regulations are designed to ensure that foreign contributions are utilized for charitable or religious purposes as intended.

The Banke Bihari temple's management committee had stated in its application that the temple had previously received foreign currencies and was planning to continue accepting donations from abroad. With the approval of the FCRA licence, the temple is now legally permitted to accept such donations through the designated channels, complying with all regulatory requirements.

The FCRA also requires organizations to provide identification details of their office bearers, such as Aadhaar numbers or passport/OCI card information, as part of the registration process. Failure to comply with the rules can lead to the cancellation of the FCRA registration. This regulatory framework ensures that organizations receiving foreign funds operate with transparency and accountability. The grant of the FCRA licence will allow the Banke Bihari temple to continue its religious activities, including its outreach to international devotees, while adhering to the legal provisions governing foreign contributions.