FCRA amendment bill introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A bill to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act was introduced in the Lok Sabha, with the government asserting that individuals and bodies using foreign funds to conduct forced religious conversions and those using foreign funds for individual gains will not be spared under the provisions of the proposed legislation. The bill was introduced on behalf of home minister Amit Shah by MoS Nityanand Rai in the face of objections from Opposition MPs who argued that the amendment will arm the executive with excess power and that the provisions will hit the functioning of civil society and NGOs.

"Some Opposition members believe that the bill is dangerous. Let me make it clear that this bill is indeed dangerous for those who engage in using foreign funds for forceful religious conversion and those who abuse foreign funding for personal gains," Rai said while introducing the bill after the House rejected Opposition objections through a voice vote. Those who work within the law, Rai added, will have nothing to fear.

The bill seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, with the objective of strengthening transparency and accountability in the utilisation of foreign funds in India.


Earlier, objecting to the introduction of the bill, Manish Tewari (Congress) argued it suffers from excessive delegation of essential legislative functions and that it enables wide and unguided executive control over property. Terming it "draconian and dangerous", Pratima Mondal (Trinamool) said: "The central government will have absolute power without any constitutional safeguard". Gowaal Padavi (Congress) said the bill allows the state to "takeover NGO assets".