Northeast Organizations Voice Concerns on Foreign Contribution Bill in Shillong Meeting
Concerns Raised by Northeast Organizations
The JPC delegation during its meeting with Northeast organisations in Shillong on Monday. (Photo:@airnews_abad/X)
Shillong, Nov 2: On Monday, representatives from various religious and non-profit organizations across the Northeast convened with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to discuss the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. They expressed their concerns and provided suggestions regarding the proposed legislation.
A total of 22 organizations participated in the discussions, presenting their viewpoints to the committee members. The JPC also requested further clarifications from some groups on specific matters, allowing them a 15-day period to respond during their ongoing regional study visit.
After the meeting, JPC chairman Sanjay Jaiswal informed the media that the committee is taking a comprehensive approach by engaging with stakeholders throughout the Northeast. He mentioned that the committee's next stops will be Chennai and Kochi for similar discussions.
Jaiswal emphasized the significance of the proposed amendment, citing concerns that unregulated foreign contributions could pose risks to national security.
“Only 6% of foreign contributions are directed towards religious organizations, while the majority is allocated to other NGOs. The total annual foreign funding entering the country is approximately Rs 22,000 crore,” Jaiswal stated.
However, he noted that this distribution might not fully reflect the extent of funding associated with religious organizations, as some NGOs could be indirectly managed by religious entities.
He reiterated that the committee is committed to hearing all perspectives before finalizing its report for Parliament, especially considering the significant influx of foreign contributions and their potential national security implications.
The JPC was established following concerns raised by Christian and other organizations regarding certain provisions in the proposed legislation, particularly a clause that would empower a designated authority to seize an organization’s assets if it loses its Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) certification.
In August 2026, the Lok Sabha approved a motion to refer the FCRA Bill, 2026, to a 31-member JPC for thorough examination, amidst strong opposition protests and calls for the Bill's retraction.
The motion, introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, established a committee consisting of 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members.
The panel is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the first week of the Winter Session in 2026.
Initially presented in the Lok Sabha on March 25, the Bill aims to enhance government oversight of NGOs and foreign funding in India.
This proposed legislation has encountered significant resistance in the Northeast, particularly in the Christian-majority states of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.