Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya is bracing for the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The legislation impacts churches, charities, and community groups providing critical social services. These entities depend on foreign funding for schools, hospitals, and welfare work. The state government now seeks a balance between strict federal oversight and operational continuity.
The 2026 Bill introduces a Designated Authority to manage assets if an organization loses its license. Assets built with foreign money could permanently vest with the government if registration lapses or renewal fails. The proposal lowers maximum imprisonment for violations from five years to one year. New rules also define reasonable activity as utilizing at least Rs 10 lakh of foreign funds over two years.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led a delegation to New Delhi to lobby Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The group included members from the Presbyterian Church of India, the North East India Christian Council, the Archdiocese of Shillong, and the Garo Baptist Convention. They warned that procedural hurdles could cripple essential public services. Sangma welcomed the decision to send the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, noting, "The objective is not to dilute regulation but to make compliance more accessible and manageable for institutions that are required to follow it."
The state is launching an FCRA Cell within its Home Department to assist local organizations. The unit will help with documentation and renewals. It will operate in Shillong, Tura, and Jowai. Officials stressed this cell is not a regulator. It acts as a bridge to federal authorities. The cell remains a work in progress. It is not yet an operational body.
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