New Delhi: The Centre has moved to resolve concerns surrounding the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill and is preparing to seek its passage in Parliament next week. Home Minister Amit Shah has taken charge of efforts to address objections raised by political parties and Christian organisations over provisions aimed at tightening the regulation of foreign funding received by NGOs.
Shah held discussions with several stakeholders, including Christian organisations that had expressed concerns about the proposed changes. He also met Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma at Parliament House, following which the Chief Minister described the discussion as positive. He said assurances had been given that the proposed law would not operate retrospectively.
Government sources maintained that the bill contains no provision for retrospective implementation and largely follows the framework of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act introduced in 2010. They also rejected concerns that the legislation was specifically aimed at Christian organisations.
The main areas of concern involve Sections 14B, 16A and 16B. Section 14B deals with the lapse of an FCRA registration when an organisation fails to seek renewal, has its renewal application rejected or allows its registration to expire.
Sections 16A and 16B deal with assets created using foreign contributions. Under the proposed provisions, assets such as schools, hospitals and community centres could come under the control of a designated authority following cancellation or expiry of an organisation’s FCRA registration.
Christian organisations have raised concerns that the provisions could affect assets created in the past by organisations whose foreign funding registrations expired years ago.
The government has sought to allay these fears, maintaining that the legislation is intended to ensure proper management of foreign funded assets rather than target any particular community. An interim arrangement is also expected to ensure that assets are protected while an organisation seeks to secure a fresh FCRA licence.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 during the previous session. The government is now expected to bring it up for debate and passage next week, with Shah likely to respond to concerns raised by members during the discussion.
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