Correspondent
SHILLONG, NOV 2: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, held a regional consultation with stakeholders from Northeastern states in Shillong on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by JPC chairperson Sanjay Jaiswal, was attended by committee members and representatives of 40 religious bodies, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups from Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and other Northeastern states.
Stakeholders submitted recommendations on the proposed regulatory changes, while the committee sought their views. Jaiswal said the panel had taken note of the suggestions to frame a law that would support organisations engaged in genuine social work while deterring activities that threaten national security.
The 31-member committee has given stakeholders 15 days from November 2 to submit detailed written suggestions. Jaiswal said their concerns would be considered before the final Bill was prepared.
He said religious bodies accounted for six per cent of total foreign contributions, while the remaining 94 per cent went to non-governmental organisations. He stressed the need for a holistic approach rather than focusing on any single sector.
The Centre, he said, aimed to frame a balanced law that would facilitate genuine social work and prevent misuse of foreign funds. He said the committee was adopting a ground-up approach by engaging directly with entities affected by foreign funding rules.
The committee will hold similar consultations in Kochi and Chennai before finalising its report.
The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the parent Act of 2010 and tighten supervision over foreign funds received by associations, organisations and companies. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and referred to the JPC following concerns raised by various sectors over its initial provisions.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma thanked the committee for holding the consultation in Shillong. In a post on X, he said the exercise would ensure stakeholders’ views and perspectives were heard and considered during deliberations on the amendment.