Meghalaya Congress protests proposed FCRA amendments; flags concerns over churches, assets

Shillong, Aug 10 (IANS) The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday staged a peaceful protest march in Shillong against the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), alleging that the changes could have serious implications for churches, educational institutions, hospitals, NGOs and other organisations receiving foreign contributions for social work.

A large number of Congress workers participated in the demonstration, carrying party flags and placards and raising slogans against the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill.

Addressing the protesters, senior Congress leader, Vincent H. Pala, claimed that the BJP had issued a whip to its members and that the proposed legislation could be introduced in Parliament before the scheduled recess on August 13.

“The BJP has issued a whip and they are likely to bring the Bill either today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow,” Pala said.

He described the proposed legislation as “one of the most dangerous Bills in history”, stating that several provisions could adversely affect institutions dependent, even partly, on foreign contributions.

Pala specifically raised concerns over Clause 16A, claiming that organisations could face attachment of their properties if their FCRA registration was not renewed, cancelled or voluntarily surrendered.

“This is a Bill where if you cannot renew the FCRA, or if they cancel your FCRA, or if you surrender the FCRA, they will take your property,” he claimed.

He further claimed that the provision could potentially affect an entire property even if only a small portion of its funding had come from foreign contributions and the rest came from local populace.

“If your church is funded by even a small percentage, or if the school is funded by a small percentage, or if any property is funded by a small percentage, the whole of the property will be attached,” Pala said.

The Congress leader maintained that the party was not opposed to regulations aimed at preventing misuse of foreign contributions. He noted that the FCRA had been in existence for several decades but argued that the proposed amendments could go beyond regulating foreign funding.

Pala also clarified that the protest was not against the Centre or the country, stressing that India’s strength lay in the cooperation of its diverse communities and institutions.

“We are not against the Government of India, we are not against India,” he said. The march passed through parts of Shillong as the Meghalaya Congress sought to mobilise public opinion against the proposed amendments ahead of their expected consideration in Parliament.

–IANS

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