MP draws flak for seeking foreign role on FCRA
Shillong, Oct 6: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has termed “absolutely inappropriate” any move to seek foreign intervention to change Indian laws even as he reiterated his government’s efforts, seeking review of amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Amid a controversy over Tura MP Saleng A Sangma allegedly seeking international intervention on FCRA issue, the Chief Minister on Tuesday said, “The entire steps that were taken were not appropriate at all, it was very inappropriate.”
Stating that such move is against sovereignty of the nation, he said, “We are talking about the Bills and Acts that are being made by our people for our people….”
“The question of intervention from external agencies is completely going outside the sovereignty and independence of our country and the power of making our own laws. So, it is absolutely inappropriate,” he added.
Stating that such mistake should not be repeated, he said the focus should now be on finding a solution to the issue that raised concerns among Christian institutions in Meghalaya.
“What the MP did was inappropriate… I think what is important for us to see is what needs to be done. I am not here to criticize anybody… hopefully a mistake will not be made in the future,” he said.
He made an appeal to all elected representatives of Meghalaya to work on the matter, saying, “We need to realise that this current aspect will affect all of us. It is not something that we should create political mileage out of.”
Calling for unity, the chief minister said, “I hope that all political leaders, elected representatives will put their political interests behind, come together as a community and see what we can do to work together and help our people.”
He said the government must balance the Centre’s intent to regulate foreign contributions with the concerns of Christian institutions.
“Look at the aspect of what Government of India is trying to achieve and look at the aspect of how it will affect our Christian institutes and see how we can ensure that the concerns of Government of India are addressed and at the same time the concerns of our institutes are not compromised,” he said.
“We need to figure it out as a community, as society, as a nation and talk to each other and work with each other. Can we have a middle path, can we still find a solution where the rights of the Christian organizations are protected, where they don’t feel insecure in any way and yet Government of India’s concerns about ensuring regulation and monitoring of foreign contribution coming in is also not diluting in any way,” he added.
