FCRA Amendment Bill to be discussed in Lok Sabha today

NEW DELHI: A bill related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), aimed at regulating and monitoring foreign funding, will be discussed in the Lok Sabha today. The bill, which was introduced on March 25, has sparked protests from Christian organisations and has become a major issue in the ongoing Assembly election campaign in Kerala.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the bill is intended to prevent misuse of foreign funds against national security and interests. He clarified that the bill is not targeted at any particular religious group. He also accused the Congress and Left parties of spreading misinformation. “False campaigns are being carried out because they fear growing public support for the BJP in Kerala,” he said.

Concerns over Centre's increased powers
The controversy mainly revolves around provisions that give the central government more authority to monitor organisations receiving foreign funds. The bill also proposes setting up an authority to take control of the assets of institutions that lose their licenses to receive foreign funding. Opposition groups fear that institutions like churches, schools, and hospitals built with foreign funds could come under government control. There are also concerns that the provisions could be misused against minority communities.

According to official data, around 16,000 organisations in India are registered to receive foreign funds, bringing in nearly Rs 22,000 crore annually. In Kerala alone, more than 500 organisations are registered under the FCRA. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the government’s aim is to close legal gaps in the current system for handling foreign funds.