NGOs spend foreign funds on religious works

Over Rs 1,300 crore received as foreign contribution by Indian non-governmental organisations during 2005-10 have been spent on religious functions, publication of religious literature and education of priests and preachers.

Minister of state for home Mullappally Ramachandran told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that a total of Rs 39,578.79 crore was received by thousands of NGOs across the country of which Rs 406.47 crore have been spent for organising various religious functions.