Shillong , 02 November (H.S.): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday welcomed

the visit of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the proposed

amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), thanking its

members for consulting stakeholders in Shillong and hearing their concerns.

Taking to social media after meeting members of the

parliamentary panel at Umroi Airport, Sangma said he appreciated their efforts

to ensure that the views and perspectives of various stakeholders were heard

and considered during the deliberations on the proposed legislation.

The committee also includes Meghalaya's National People's

Party (NPP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma as a

special invitee. James Sangma had earlier urged the panel to hold consultations

in Shillong so that organisations from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast could

directly present their concerns.

The JPC, headed by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal, held consultations

in Shillong on Monday, interacting with representatives of nearly 40

organisations from Meghalaya and other northeastern states, including religious

institutions, non-governmental organisations and groups working for persons

with disabilities.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, regulates

the receipt and utilisation of foreign donations by individuals, associations

and organisations in India. Organisations receiving foreign contributions must

obtain FCRA registration or prior permission from the Union Home Ministry and

comply with prescribed reporting and financial regulations.

The proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, has attracted

considerable attention because it seeks to introduce a mechanism for the

supervision, management and disposal of assets belonging to organisations whose

FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or expires without renewal. The

proposed legislation provides for a government-appointed Designated Authority

to take charge of such assets.

The issue has particular significance for Meghalaya, one of

India's most Christian-majority states, where Christians account for nearly 75

per cent of the population, according to the 2011 Census. Churches, missionary

institutions, charitable organisations and faith-based groups have historically

played an important role in running educational institutions, healthcare

facilities, orphanages, community welfare programmes and other social

initiatives.

Many such institutions depend, at least partly, on foreign

donations to support their activities. Consequently, changes in FCRA

regulations could have implications for their ability to receive, manage and

utilise overseas contributions.

Church organisations and other civil society groups have

expressed concerns about the proposed provisions, particularly those relating

to the control of assets if an organisation loses its FCRA registration. They

have sought safeguards to ensure that legitimate charitable and religious

activities are not disrupted.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that the proposed

amendments are intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and

oversight in the utilisation of foreign funds while preventing their misuse.

The Shillong consultation was therefore an important

opportunity for organisations from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast to place

their concerns directly before the parliamentary committee. The panel has

sought additional written submissions from participating organisations within

15 days before proceeding with its further deliberations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb