CM Conrad-led delegation urged leaders in Delhi against FCRA amendment: James
Shillong, July 29: The National People’s Party (NPP) has refuted the allegation that the party had remained “silent” on the issue of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, and accused the opposition of spreading “unverified and politically motivated” reports.
In a statement, NPP national working president James K Sangma on Wednesday said the claims that the party has maintained “silence” on the FCRA were baseless.
He said the NPP has already taken up the issue with the Union Government at the highest level.
The newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP said NPP is the only political party from the region that has made a robust and decisive assertion before the Centre to safeguard religious and minority institutions.
He mentioned that Chief Minister and party president Conrad K Sangma recently led a multi-denominational delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The delegation included representatives from the Presbyterian Church of India, North East India Christian Council, Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong and Garo Baptist Convention.
During the meeting, concerns regarding Section 16A(5) and other restrictive provisions of the draft FCRA Bill were placed before the Home Minister.
The delegation urged that charitable institutions running education, healthcare and social welfare services should not face disruptions.
According to NPP, the Union Home Minister assured that extensive stakeholder consultations would be held before making a final move.
The NPP also referred to an April 2026 meeting between the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.
The focus then was on protecting organizations working in remote and tribal areas and seeking safeguards against operational and property-related risks.
The party reiterated that it remains committed to raising issues impacting the rights and welfare of citizens, and will continue to represent the concerns of social and religious institutions at the national level.
Centre’s assurance on church concerns
Reiterating the government’s efforts to allay concerns of church bodies on the FCRA issue, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong also mentioned about a Meghalaya delegation getting assurance from top leaders in New Delhi on review of the government move.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tynsong said the delegation led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was also assured of review of the clauses in the proposed FCR amendment bill, which “directly or indirectly affects” the functioning of churches in the Northeast, particularly in Meghalaya.
Tynsong, however, said he had no update on whether the changes have been incorporated yet.
Clarifying the scope of the law, Tynsong said the FCRA does not apply only to Christian institutions.
“FCRA is for different organizations, not only for Christianity. It covers the entire nation,” he said.
On whether the state government would oppose the Bill, Tynsong said it was premature to take a stand.
“When the CM took the delegation, they had assured that these concerns of the delegation will be taken care of,” he said.
