From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 28: The Centre has indicated that the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, currently under examination by the Union Home Ministry, will be discussed with key stakeholders, including state governments, to build broader consensus.
This assurance came from former Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader A.L. Hek, who held a series of meetings here with senior Union Ministers and Church leaders to address concerns over the contentious amendments.
Hek met Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, and DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. He also held discussions with Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
The issue gained momentum after Hek wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, which was forwarded by the Union Law Ministry to the Home Ministry, the nodal authority for FCRA matters.
Following the meetings, Hek highlighted the significant role played by non-profit organisations, particularly religious institutions, in nation-building — especially in the North Eastern region and Meghalaya.
“In education, healthcare, rural development, humanitarian assistance, and the empowerment of marginalised communities, these organisations have effectively complemented the efforts of the government,” Hek stated in his letter to the Prime Minister. He emphasised that these institutions have engaged foreign donors with due diligence and have maintained robust compliance with FCRA provisions, including regular audits, donor reporting, and statutory filings.
However, Hek expressed concern that the proposed amendments could adversely affect the operational viability, autonomy, and effectiveness of the non-profit sector. He urged the government to undertake a comprehensive and inclusive review of the Bill through meaningful consultation with all stakeholders.
“India’s non-profit sector remains an indispensable partner in the country’s developmental journey. A balanced, transparent, and facilitative regulatory framework — rather than a restrictive one — will best serve the national interest,” he said.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, has raised particular alarm in India’s Northeast, where civil society organisations and minority institutions heavily rely on foreign funding to deliver essential services in remote and underdeveloped areas. The region’s challenging terrain, high concentration of minority communities, and dependence on NGOs for bridging development gaps make it especially vulnerable to stricter regulations.
