Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has written to Home Minister flagging “serious concerns” over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), urging wider consultation and safeguards against “excessive state control over civil society”.
In identical communications to Shah and MPs, CBCI said the FCRA Bill, 2026, while aimed at strengthening oversight, could upset the “constitutional balance, civil society freedom and the future of charitable service in India”.
It raised particular concern over provisions that would allow foreign contributions and assets created out of such funds to vest in a designated authority not only in cases of cancellation or surrender of FCRA registration but also in cases of “deemed cessation”.
It warned that this expansion could disproportionately affect organisations whose renewals are denied, especially as the renewal process is “totally controlled” by the Home Ministry.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026