Foreign Contributions: Only 6% Reach Churches, Says Parliamentary Committee Chair

Overview of Foreign Contributions in India

Shillong: According to Sanjay Jaiswal, the chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, only about 6% of the total Rs 22,000 crore in foreign donations received in India is allocated to churches and faith-based organizations.

During a recent consultation, the JPC addressed concerns from various stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments to the FCRA. Opposition parties have raised alarms that certain aspects of the bill could hinder legitimate foreign funding for Christian NGOs and educational institutions run by minorities. However, the government insists that the legislation is not aimed at any specific religion but is intended to regulate foreign contributions effectively.

"Our goal is to find practical solutions to the issues presented to us. We prioritize national interest and are engaging with all relevant stakeholders before making any decisions," Jaiswal stated.

The meeting saw participation from at least 20 organizations, primarily from different churches, along with groups associated with Hindus and indigenous communities in the predominantly Christian state. Jaiswal emphasized that the committee is collecting feedback from diverse groups to assess the potential impacts of the proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act of 2010.

"Of the Rs 22,000 crore in foreign contributions, only around 6% is directed towards churches and faith-based organizations, while the majority is received by NGOs and other entities," the BJP MP noted.