FCRA Bill not anytime soon? Centre trying to woo DMK for delimitation bill

NEW DELHI: Only four days are left for the monsoon session of Parliament to end. The government will present four bills in the house today. Among them is a bill to change the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam in official documents. There are hints that the much-discussed Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill (FCRA) may not be introduced during this session. There were earlier indications that the bill would be introduced on Wednesday and sent to the parliamentary committee. Meanwhile, the government has started trying to bring the opposition parties together on the issue of the constituency delimitation bill.

The attempt is to woo the opposition DMK and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). The government is trying to seek the support of both parties to meet the BJP's goal of holding a single election during the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The government is counting on these parties to support it in the constituency delimitation bill.

The FCRA bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, but has not yet been discussed. Opposition parties including the DMK and various religious groups including Christians are strongly opposing the bill. Those opposing the FCRA issue argue that it will threaten their service activities and pave the way for the government to take over institutions.