Regarding the fraudulent activities that have recently come to light. Google India Private Limited and FNB Corporations have established specific guidelines during the meeting held on 26th March, 2024 to ensure the responsible utilization of CSR Funding in appropriate areas.
Purpose and Funds Sanctioned:
As per the new directive, the company is sanctioning an amount of Rs. 3 Lakhs towards Educational Funding and an amount of Rs. 2.5 Lakhs towards Medical Funding.
In light of the recent discovery of fraudulent activities, Google India Private Limited has decided to cancel the funding for renovation, marriage, and business purposes.
Allocation-
The initiative aims to channelize CSR funds through registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) via Public Financing India, with stringent verification procedures and accountability mechanisms. Additionally, NGOs will be subject to regular audits and evaluations to ensure compliance with prescribed guidelines and standards.
Submission of Declaration Letter-
As a part of the initiative, NGOs are required to submit an affidavit copy of the Declaration Letter signed by all signatory authorities. Signatory Authorities includes President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer and NGO’s Chartered Accountant. The affidavit copy has to be submittedalong with the registered government documents to Google India Private Limited prior to encashing bank cheques.
Required Government documents are as follows:
- NGO Darpaan Certificate
- PAN Card of the NGO
- Aadhar Card of all the Signatory Authorities
This procedural requirement aims to verify the authenticity of NGOs and enhance accountability in fund disbursement.
Scrutinization-
NGOs are mandated to thoroughly scrutinize the current requirements of the Beneficiaries before distributing the funds to them.
Withdrawal from the Process-
Applicants who do not require the funds at this time may withdraw from the application process and receive their refunds as deposited near the company. However, applicants are not permitted to change their purposes or utilize the funds for any other purpose.
Furthermore, the management has decided to refund the Application Fees of the Deceased Applicants. According to the new regulation, the funds will not be distributed to the deceased person’s family/ relatives.
Fund’s Utilization-
As mentioned in the Authorization Letter and the Application Form, the funds must be utilized strictly for the purposes specified in the application form as submitted to Google India Private Limited, and beneficiaries are prohibited from diverting funds for any other use.
Medical Funds will be used solely for treatment in hospitals accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). Funds will not be used for treatment in any private clinic, post- medical care, purchase of medicines, injections or medical equipment’s.
Educational Funds will be used solely for formal education in schools and universities accredited by the Indian Government. Funds will not be used for Skill Development Courses, Computer Courses, Coaching Classes or Hobby Classes.
It is mandatory for the beneficiaries to utilize the entire fund by 30th July, 2024.
Refund-
Applicants who applied for marriage, renovation, or business purpose will receive a full refund.
Applicants who do not currently have a financial need and choose to withdraw from the process will get a complete refund.
The relatives of the deceased applicant will get a full refund.
Google India Private Limited will provide a full refund to applicants who were rejected during the verification process.
Refund of Application Fees-
Many participating NGOs and volunteers have charged unreasonable Processing Fees from the Applicants. The processing fees specified by the company was Rs. 3500, however it came to light that many NGO’s and volunteers charged considerably more than that. It is strongly advised that registered NGO’s and Volunteers should reimburse the entire fees paid by the applicant.
Google India Private Limited would provide a refund of Rs 3500 per applicant. Any amount greater than that will be paid by registered NGOs or volunteers.
The company has decided to do the verification in order to determine the exact amount of Processing Fees that the Applicant has deposited. Registered NGOs and volunteers will get a refund cheque after the verification process is completed.
After receiving the refund Cheque, NGO’s are instructed to cash it and hand over the full refund to the applicants.
Applicant’s Data-
It has been discovered that, despite repeated rounds of data revisions, NGOs have given the Company with an incorrect and invalid contact number for the Applicants in order to intentionally mislead the Company. It is strongly advised that NGOs or Volunteers should submit the Valid Contact Details of the Applicants for the Verification Process. Refunds will not be offered to applicants who do not get themselves verified.
Post- Verification-
To uphold transparency, NGOs must collect GST- compliant payment receipts from beneficiaries upon fund utilization and submit them to Google India Private Limited by 1st week of August 2024for comprehensive auditing and verification purposes.
To ensure that the full refund has been successfully paid back to the applicant, Google India Private Limited will conduct a tele- verification with the applicants.
Re- Payment-
After successful utilization of the funds, any excess funds has to be returned back to Google India Private Limited by August 16, 2024.
In instances where beneficiaries fail to furnish payment receipts, NGOs are strictly instructed to return the entire amount to Google India by 30th August, 2024. This measure ensures that funds are appropriately accounted for and utilized in alignment with CSR objectives.
Disciplinary Action-
Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in severe legal action against the NGO and its Signatory Authorities, underscoring the seriousness with which Google India regards the proper utilization of CSR funds.
Clearance Period-
The outstanding CSR Funding and Refund Process is expected to be completed by May 2024, contingent on the successful adherence to the protocols established by FNB Corporation and Google India Private Limited.
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