NRIs/PIOs can now send funds online for flagship schemes

NRIs and Persons of Indian Origion (PIOs) will now be able to make monetary contributions online for government's flagship programmes 'Swachch Bharat' and Clean Ganga among other social sector projects, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced in Tuesday.

Swaraj said this while chairing a meeting of the India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI), a not-for-profit trust established by government of India with an aim to supplement country's social development efforts.

"Facilitating diaspora's desire to give back to India. EAM chairs 6th Board Meeting of IDF-OI in Delhi @GivingtoIndia," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The minister also unveiled IDF-OI's Online Payment Gateway at the Meeting. "Glad to inform that NRIs/PIOs will now be able to make contributions online to IDF-OI, by using their credit/debit cards," Swaraj was quoted as saying.

During the meet, the Board Members discussed ways to enhance diaspora engagement with India's social sector.

IDF-OI is presently promoting Government of India's flagship programmes- Swachh Bharat and National Mission for Clean Ganga.

IDF-OI, which leads overseas Indian philanthropy into India, is also partnering with the state governments to select projects identified by the states and seek overseas Indians' engagement with these projects.