JPC hears 22 Northeast groups on FCRA Bill in Shillong
The Joint Parliamentary Committee has given certain organisations 15 days to provide clarifications regarding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Representatives from 22 religious and non-profit organisations met the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in Shillong on Monday to discuss the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, according to The Assam Tribune.
JPC chairman Sanjay Jaiswal stated that the committee is consulting various stakeholders across the Northeast to ensure a comprehensive review. He noted that the committee will travel to Kochi and Chennai for further discussions.
Jaiswal said the amendment is necessary because unscrutinised foreign funding could pose risks to national security. He mentioned that of the approximately Rs 22,000 crore in annual foreign contributions, only 6 per cent goes to religious organisations.
The JPC was formed after Christian and other groups expressed concerns over a clause allowing authorities to take control of assets if an organisation loses its Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) certificate. Some non-governmental organisations may also be indirectly managed by religious bodies.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 to increase government oversight of foreign funding for NGOs. In August 2026, the Lok Sabha referred the Bill to the 31-member JPC following protests from the Opposition.
The committee, which includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, must submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the final day of the first week of the 2026 Winter Session.