SHILLONG, July 5: The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) on Sunday expressed optimism over what it described as a positive and constructive meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 and Rules, 2026.
A delegation comprising representatives of the NEICC, the Presbyterian Church of India, the Garo Baptist Convention and the Roman Catholic Church in Meghalaya met the Union Home Minister in New Delhi to submit a memorandum outlining the churches’ concerns and recommendations on the proposed amendments.
During the meeting, the delegation reiterated its support for the government’s efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and responsible utilisation of foreign contributions. It also urged the Centre to incorporate safeguards to ensure that genuine charitable, educational, healthcare, humanitarian and faith-based institutions can continue their services without disruption.
According to NEICC general secretary Dr. Meyu Changkiri, the Union Home Minister assured the delegation that the Ministry of Home Affairs would carefully examine the memorandum and the clause-by-clause recommendations submitted by the churches.
He also informed the delegation that the Union Home Secretary would study the representations and that a follow-up meeting would be convened in the coming days.
“We are encouraged by the positive response and assurances extended by the Union Home Minister. Our representation is not intended to oppose regulatory reforms but to contribute constructively towards legislation that promotes transparency and accountability while enabling genuine charitable and faith-based institutions to continue serving the people,” he said.
The Council said it remains hopeful as the government examines its memorandum and looks forward to continued dialogue on the matter.
The NEICC also acknowledged the role played by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in facilitating the interaction with the Union Home Minister, thanking him for his support in ensuring that the concerns of churches and Christian institutions were presented through a constructive channel of dialogue with the Government of India.
The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) also acknowledged the Chief Minister and the church leaders from Meghalaya for the initiative they took to meet Shah to raise concerns on the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, and to protest against the strict FCRA Amendment Rules 2026.
KJCLF noted that the proposed changes will break vital social programmes as educational and healthcare institutions across Meghalaya would adversely be affected. These institutions provide essential care where government services fail to reach.
The KJCLF has urged the Chief Minister and the state legislators to adopt a resolution in the Assembly urging the Union government to withdraw the FRCA Amendment Bill 2026 and the FCRA Amendment Rules 2026 – as was done in the Kerala Assembly on July 1, 2026.
“Furthermore, as an influential leader in the region, we request Conrad K. Sangma as well as community and church leaders in the region to influence the chief ministers of all northeastern states to pass similar resolutions on this matter,” it added.
