After a huge controversy over making the TTD pay Rs. 3 Crores as a fine for allegedly violating norms of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the central government has finally renewed the license. The FCRA wing under the Ministry of Home Affairs stated in a letter to TTD that from now on the temple management can receive funds from its foreign donors in its designated bank account in the State Bank of India.
Earlier, SBI refused to deposit the foreign donations stating that the sources are unknown. Now, with the license renewed the bank should deposit the amount. This new license is valid for five years effective from January 1, 2020. It was on July 12, 2019, seeking renewal of registration under FCRA.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was directed to furnish the details of each foreign contribution received and the utilization of the thus funds received. TTD management has been appealing for the exemption since then but there was no response from the Centre until now.
