Cabinet approves closure of India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for closure of India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI).The purpose of closure is to enhance synergies in channelizing contributions of Indian diaspora to Government’s flagship programmes such as National Mission for clean Ganga and Swachh Bharat Mission. It also seeks to enhance synergies, improve efficiencies and avoid duplication of work.

Background

IDF-OI was set up by Central Government in 2008 as an autonomous not-for-profit Trust. Its mandate was to facilitate Overseas Indian philanthropy into social and development projects in India. The trust was chaired by External Affairs Minister. Government had added flagship programmes such as National Mission for Clean Ganga and Swachh Bharat Mission and other social and development projects identified by state governments to the mandate of IDF-OI. The IDF-OI had received only Rs. 36.80 lakhs between December 2008 and March 2015 as donation from overseas Indian community. Later in between April 2015 and March 2018, it had received Rs.10.16 crore, most of contribution received were for projects related to National Mission for Clean Ganga and Swachh Bharat Mission.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2018