FCRA Amendment Bill Set for Joint Panel Review as Opposition Seeks Withdrawal
The Union government has informed its allies and other parties that it will move a resolution in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), according to sources. The move comes amid persistent demands from Opposition parties for the Bill's withdrawal in its current form.
The Bill was discussed at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, where Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue. However, no commitment was made at the meeting despite strong objections from Opposition members.
During the meeting, Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh noted that the Bill was not on the agenda and reiterated the Opposition's view that it should be withdrawn. Trinamool Congress deputy leader Sagarika Ghose echoed the demand. DMK leader Tiruchi Siva strongly opposed the Bill, stating, "DMK has stated its position very clearly. The FCRA Bill in its current form is unacceptable to us. Sending it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee will not serve any purpose."
Meanwhile, BJP MP Sasmit Patra, attending as a special invitee, reportedly argued for referring the Bill to a JPC for further scrutiny. Sources said Mr. Rijiju did not commit to any decision at the meeting, but later the government informed allies and other parties of its plan to move the resolution in the Lower House.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act is a law that regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies. The amendment, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, proposes tighter government oversight of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign funding. One of its key provisions is the creation of a designated authority to manage and dispose of assets if an organisation loses its FCRA licence. Under the proposed law, if an FCRA certificate is cancelled, surrendered, or lapses, foreign contributions and all assets created using those contributions would vest in a government-appointed designated authority without any prior hearing or judicial determination.
The Bill also states that if a fresh certificate is not obtained within a prescribed period, these assets could be sold or transferred to a government department, with the proceeds credited to the Consolidated Fund of India. The existing right to reclaim assets upon re-registration would be removed, and the founding institution would be permanently barred from reacquiring them.
Opposition parties have argued that the Bill disproportionately affects minority institutions, alleging that some provisions would restrict legitimate foreign funding for Christian NGOs and minority-run welfare and educational institutions. The government, however, has maintained that the proposed legislation is not religion-specific and is intended to strengthen the regulation of all foreign contributions.
