SHILLONG, AUG 14: The Meghalaya government has decided to set up a dedicated FCRA cell within the Home Department to assist organisations with applications and renewals.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the cell will be set up in consultation with the central government to make the process more accessible for organisations based in Meghalaya “The state government is currently working out the mechanism with the Union Home Ministry,” he said.
Sangma said the state-level cell will facilitate FCRA-related procedures from Shillong, instead of requiring organisations to travel to New Delhi for applications or renewals. Government officials clarified that although the state-level cell will act as a local facilitation mechanism, final authority over FCRA registrations will continue to rest with the Centre.
“This initiative would help ease the difficulties faced by organisations navigating the FCRA process and ensure they can complete the necessary procedures locally,” the Chief Minister explained. The Meghalaya government’s decision comes amid growing concerns from several civil society organisations and political parties in the Northeast over the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The central government has referred the bill to a JPC, giving churches, faith-based organisations, and other institutions an opportunity to voice their concerns. Welcoming the central government’s decision to refer the Bill, 2026 to the JPC, Sangma underscored the need to strike a balance between regulating foreign contributions and ensuring that legitimate organisations engaged in beneficial work are not adversely affected.
“The objective should be to strengthen regulation while also allowing genuine institutions and agencies to continue their good work without unnecessary difficulties,” he said.