Shillong: The BJP-led government will move a motion in the Lok Sabha this Wednesday to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Introduced on March 25, the legislation seeks stricter oversight of NGOs receiving foreign funds, including a new authority to dispose of assets if an entity loses its licence. Sources confirmed the referral move despite just two days remaining in the monsoon session.
Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly gave assurances of this JPC referral to a delegation of United Democratic Party MLAs and ministers on Monday. Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem stated the committee would provide a platform for all sides to present views. The UDP, led by President Metbah Lyngdoh, further demanded that regulation should not become a "strangulation" of institutions that have served communities for decades.
Opposition mounted rapidly. Congress, TMC, and DMK have demanded the Bill's full withdrawal, claiming it targets minority-run social and educational institutions. Tamil Nadu’s Assembly even passed a resolution on Tuesday opposing the amendments. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal labeled the Bill unconstitutional and anti-people. NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule echoed these concerns, warning against viewing foreign funding with automatic suspicion.
State leaders, including Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, have lobbied Shah for either withdrawal or JPC review. The UDP also submitted a memorandum seeking protections for assets in Sixth Schedule areas and states under Articles 371A to 371H. BJP MLA A.L. Hek joined the chorus, advocating for wider consultations to protect humanitarian work.
The government maintains the bill serves national security and transparency. It dismissed objections from US lawmakers, such as Senator James Risch, as internal matters. India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, noted that countries like the UK, Australia, and the US maintain similar regulatory frameworks. The monsoon session concludes this Thursday.
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