Shillong: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma blasted the Meghalaya government on August 28 for its failure to present a formal resolution on the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill. The criticism came on the final day of the Assembly’s Autumn Session. Sangma argued the state should have led the debate instead of forcing the Opposition to sponsor a private resolution.
The government could have extended the session for more talk. It chose not to. "Although the Opposition had brought a resolution, it would have been appropriate for the government to bring its own resolution," Sangma told reporters. He wants a formal government position on the record to address public anxiety across the Northeast.
Proposed changes to the FCRA framework triggered widespread concern among civil society groups. These organizations rely on foreign funding to operate. While the government remains quiet on a formal resolution, it recently moved to create an FCRA cell inside the Home Department. This office aims to handle applications and renewals locally in Shillong.
State officials are currently working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to set up the facility. This avoids travel to New Delhi for local groups. Public pressure and protests previously forced the center to refer the 2026 bill to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee on August 12. Sangma now demands the government address these sentiments in the next legislative session.
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