Mizoram Chief Minister Advocates for Joint Parliamentary Review of FCRA Amendment Bill
Mizoram's Call for Legislative Review
Chief Minister of Mizoram Lalduhoma
Aizawl, Aug 10: The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, announced on Sunday that the state government has requested the central government to send the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This move aims to ensure broader consultation prior to the finalization of the legislation.
The amendment bill intends to impose stricter regulations on foreign-funded organizations, including the establishment of a new authority with the power to seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their licenses.
In Mizoram, a state with a significant Christian population, churches and civil society groups have raised alarms about certain provisions that could impact organizations receiving foreign donations.
Lalduhoma mentioned that he recently met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, accompanied by leaders from two major church organizations—the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) and the Council of Churches in Mizoram (CCM), representing various Christian groups in the state.
During this meeting, the delegation shared their concerns and recommendations regarding specific aspects of the proposed bill and submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Ministry.
Reiterating the need for parliamentary examination, Lalduhoma emphasized that referring the bill to a JPC would allow for a thorough review of concerns and suggestions from diverse stakeholders across the nation before it is passed.
“In the spirit of democratic consultation, we respectfully urge the Union government to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC),” Lalduhoma stated in a Facebook post.
“This would enable a careful examination of concerns and suggestions from various regions and stakeholders before finalizing the legislation,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the central government would heed this request in the interest of inclusive, transparent, and consultative policymaking.
The controversial FCRA Amendment Bill is scheduled for discussion and potential passage in Parliament on August 12, but it will not be applied retroactively, as Lalduhoma noted on August 6 after his meeting with Shah.
The CCM, which includes nine major churches such as the Presbyterian Church of India and the Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM), plans to hold a rally in Aizawl on August 11 to protest the proposed bill.
The protest will commence from two locations—Zarkawt and Sikulpuikawn—culminating outside Vanapa Hall for a public event, as stated by CCM president Rev Dr Lalbiakliana.
The church organization has voiced concerns regarding provisions in the amendment that would permit authorities to confiscate properties, land, and other assets obtained through foreign funding if an organization’s FCRA license is revoked.
Additionally, the CCM opposes the establishment of a Designated Authority, which they argue would possess extensive powers to seize and manage the assets of churches and NGOs without prior court approval or judicial oversight.