Shillong, Nov 15: The state government has submitted its views to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Bill based on changes sought by Christian organisations of the state.
The government, in its presentation, sought changes in certain provisions of the Bill citing their possible adverse impact on Christian organisations and the majority Christian community.
“We have placed our views before the committee and made a presentation to the JPC, requesting it to reconsider those provisions,” said Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Parliamentary Affairs Prestone Tynsong.
Clarifying that the state was not opposed to amending the Act itself, he said, “The Act has been in existence for a long time. Amendments were carried out even during the Congress government’s tenure in 2010 and 2012.”
“The amendment, therefore, appears to me to be both important and necessary,” he added.
However, he said certain provisions raised concern.
“A few lines in the proposed amendments, we personally feel, will directly affect Christian organisations and the Christian community,” he said.
Responding to former Rajya Sabha MP and former NPP state president Dr WR Kharlukhi’s recent appeal to the BJP and NPP to vote against the FCRA Bill when it is tabled in Parliament, Tynsong declined to comment until the JPC completes its work.
“Right now, I have nothing to say, as the Joint Parliamentary Committee is still examining the matter,” he said.
“The JPC recently visited Shillong and met all stakeholders on this issue. I will not comment until the amendment or the recommendation of the JPC is submitted to the Government of India,” he added.
