Shillong: Meghalaya Rajya Sabha MP James P.K. Sangma pushed back against claims that the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing Foreign Contribution Regulation Act amendments is a sham. He insists the panel serves to scrutinize legislation and hear directly from impacted groups. Parliament created the committee to provide depth to the legislative process. Sangma said, "The purpose of the Joint Parliamentary Committee is when Parliament and its members decide that the Bill needs more discussion and there needs to be more light thrown on it."
Critics remain skeptical. Many in the Christian community and various organizations fear how the new rules will alter their access to foreign funding. Churches across the Northeast, specifically in Meghalaya, need clarity on future operations. Sangma, who sits on the committee, noted that the panel is currently holding regional meetings rather than sticking to one city. This includes a recent trip to Nagaland and an upcoming session in Chennai under chairman Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal.
Sangma is working the phones and meeting church leaders personally to grasp their specific needs. He says the committee needs to hear from everyone. Groups can present their cases in person or submit written documents to avoid travel costs. While he refuses to guess if the consultations will force changes to the bill, he maintains the process matters. The priority is simply giving stakeholders a platform to talk.
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