Conrad hails JPC review of FCRA bill
Shillong, Aug 12: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has welcomed the Centre’s decision to refer the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further review.
Review of the FCRA amendment bill would, he said, provide an opportunity for concerns raised by churches, religious organisations and other institutions in Meghalaya to be heard and addressed.
The National People’s Party (NPP) chief also said NPP was among the first political parties to raise concerns over the proposed amendments when the Bill was initially introduced.
NPP had taken up the matter with the Centre at an early stage and led delegations to meet the Union government and the Union Home Minister, he said.
However, Sangma said, the NPP had raised the issue not for political reasons, but in response to concerns expressed by various organisations and institutions in Meghalaya.
He stressed the need to strike a balance between regulating foreign contributions and ensuring that legitimate organisations engaged in beneficial work are not adversely affected.
“The objective should be to strengthen regulation while also allowing genuine institutions and agencies to continue their good work without unnecessary difficulties,” he said.
In April, Sangma met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and raised concerns over the proposed FCRA amendments, particularly their potential impact on charitable institutions.
The issue has drawn wider concern from Christian and charitable organisations across the Northeast, with the proposed amendments now being referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further scrutiny.
