Bill to amend law governing foreign funding of NGOs referred to joint parliamentary committee

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday referred the 2026 Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed examination.

Registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act is mandatory for a non-profit organisation to receive foreign funds.

Among the key provisions under the amendment bill is one that allows the Union government to take control of an organisation’s foreign funds and assets if its FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled.

The bill was introduced in Parliament in March during the Budget Session.

The proposed legislation was sent for wider consultation in the wake of protests by Opposition parties, who said that the bill grants “sweeping and disproportionate powers” to the executive without adequate constitutional safeguards.

A collective of churches in Mizoram’s Aizawl also held a large-scale protest on Tuesday against the amendment bill, reported PTI. The protesters said that the legislation will adversely affect religious minorities, churches and non-governmental organisations, and could undermine constitutional safeguards.

On Wednesday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition should raise their concerns before the committee.

The motion to refer the bill was moved by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.

Although the supplementary list of business stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would move the motion in Lok Sabha, he was absent from the House.

The proposed committee to examine the bill will...

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