Indian Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Council

Contributions to IPGC (Donations or Membership Fees) are voluntary financial support for our mission. Contributions are made without expectation of commercial goods or services. Once funds are processed, they are generally final and non-refundable, as they are immediately allocated to administrative, legal, and operational costs. Membership fees are non-refundable upon successful enrollment and provision of membership benefits.

IPGC may issue refunds only in exceptional circumstances, at its sole discretion: Technical Errors (duplicate charges due to payment gateway errors); Fraud or Unauthorized Transactions (donations made using stolen cards or unauthorized methods); and Demonstrable Error (clear evidence of donor error in amount or frequency, immediately notified within 48 hours). Refund eligibility is determined by IPGC based on review of circumstances, evidence, and timing. Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the contribution for consideration.

Approved refunds will be processed back to the original payment method when possible. Processing time varies: Credit/Debit Card Refunds (10-15 business days); Bank Transfers (5-10 business days). Processing fees incurred by the payment gateway (typically 1.5-3%) are non-refundable and will be deducted from the refund amount.

Refunded donations have important tax implications: Tax Deduction Certificates - if 80G or other tax deduction certificate was issued for refunded donation, certificate becomes invalid; donors must return original certificate to the foundation or provide written confirmation of destruction; revised documentation reflecting actual donation amount (after refund) will be issued if applicable. Tax Return Corrections - donors who claimed tax deductions for refunded donations are responsible for filing amended tax returns; you must report refunded amount as income or correct donation deduction in relevant tax year; failure to correct tax filings may result in tax penalties, interest, or audit issues from tax authorities. Foundation Responsibilities - we will notify relevant tax authorities of refunded donations as required by law; we maintain records of all refunds for audit and compliance purposes; we will provide documentation to support your tax filing corrections upon request. Timing Considerations - tax implications depend on timing of donation and refund (same tax year vs. different tax years); consult tax professional for guidance on proper treatment of refunded charitable contributions; complex cases involving multi-year donations or recurring contributions may require specialized tax advice. Legal Compliance - Indian Income Tax Act provisions regarding charitable donations and refunds must be followed; both donor and foundation have obligations to ensure tax treatment is properly addressed. No Tax Advice - this information is general guidance only; we do not provide tax advice; each donor tax situation is unique and requires professional evaluation; we recommend consulting qualified chartered accountants or tax advisors regarding implications of donation refunds.

Handling of payment disputes and chargebacks: Chargebacks - a chargeback occurs when donor disputes charge with credit card company or bank rather than contacting us directly; chargebacks harm charitable organizations through lost donations, chargeback fees ($15-$100 per incident), and administrative burden; please contact us first before initiating chargeback - we will work to resolve issues directly. Chargeback Process - if chargeback filed, we receive notification from payment processor; we submit evidence that donation was legitimate, authorized, and processed correctly; final decision made by card issuer or bank, not by our organization. Chargeback Consequences - if chargeback granted, donation amount and chargeback fees are deducted from our accounts; repeated chargebacks may jeopardize our ability to accept credit card donations; donors who file chargebacks may be restricted from future donation processing for risk management. Our Response - we will attempt to contact donor to understand issue and resolve directly; we will provide all documentation showing donation was properly processed; if chargeback due to fraud (stolen card), we will cooperate fully and not contest. Preventing Chargebacks - ensure donations are intentional and authorized before submitting; verify donation amount and organization details before confirming transaction; keep confirmation emails and receipts for your records; contact us immediately if you notice unauthorized charges or errors; review credit card/bank statements regularly to identify issues promptly. Dispute Resolution - we encourage open communication and will work in good faith to resolve all legitimate concerns; most issues can be resolved through direct contact without need for formal disputes; our goal is donor satisfaction while protecting charitable resources from fraud and abuse.

For all refund-related questions, requests, or concerns: GIRIDHARE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE FOUNDATION, Director: Raghavendra Hadora, M.Sc (Agri), Ph.D (Hort.), Email: geswfoundation@gmail.com (Primary contact for refund requests), Phone: +91 8951715545 or +91 9449121785 (Office hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM IST), Address: 4th Main 1st Cross Gourishankara Nagara, Ranebennur – 581115, Karnataka, India, Website: geswfoundation.org, CIN: U88900KA2025NPL209313. What to Include - full name and contact information, donation date and amount, transaction ID or receipt number, payment method used, detailed explanation of refund reason, supporting documentation (screenshots, statements, etc.), preferred refund method if approved. Response Timeline - acknowledgment within 48 hours, initial review within 7 business days, final decision within 15 business days (complex cases may take longer). Office Hours - Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM IST; communications received outside business hours will be addressed on next business day. Emergency Contact - for urgent matters involving suspected fraud or unauthorized transactions, call immediately at +91 8951715545. Alternative Contact - if primary email is unavailable, you may mail written request to our registered address with supporting documents. We are committed to responding to all refund inquiries professionally, promptly, and fairly while ensuring responsible stewardship of charitable resources.