New Delhi: At least 744 NGOs are on the government’s watchlist for alleged violation of FCRA rules and a crackdown against the erring ones will be carried out soon.

Sources said while there are about 33,000 NGOs registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), at least over 740 have been identified as having not complied with provisions of the said act.

FCRA licences of 14,255 NGOs were cancelled between 2006-07 to 2011-12 fiscals. Consequently, registration of 4,138 associations was cancelled in July 2012 and 10,117 in March, 2015 by the government.

Recently, registration of several NGOs run by high- profile public figures like Teesta Setalvad were also cancelled.

Amidst the ongoing crackdown on NGOs, Union minister Kiren Rijiju had recently said all voluntary organisations must fall in line and abide by the law and no genuine organisation should be fearful of government action.

PTI