Meghalaya: UDP urges Centre to revisit FCRA reforms
Shillong, Aug 5
The United Democratic Party, a key constituent of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government that includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Wednesday urged the Centre to revisit several provisions of the proposed Foreign Contribution Amendment Act, 2026 and the accompanying FCRA Amendment Rules, warning that the changes could adversely affect the functioning of educational, healthcare, humanitarian and charitable institutions in the state.
UDP General Secretary Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters that the party had examined the proposed amendments in detail and endorsed the concerns raised by Church leaders in Meghalaya as well as Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. While reiterating its support for greater transparency and accountability in the regulation of foreign contributions, the party said reforms should not undermine institutions that have been serving communities for decades.
"The objective of regulation must not become strangulation of institutions dedicated to public welfare," Chyne said.
The UDP urged the Central Government to introduce a court-supervised mechanism for the vesting of assets instead of automatic provisional vesting. It also sought a provision ensuring that no permanent transfer of assets takes place until all judicial appeals have been exhausted.
According to the party, charitable assets created by minority institutions, Church bodies and community organisations have been built over decades for public service and should receive adequate legal protection.
It further proposed that the new vesting provisions apply only prospectively from the date the amended Act comes into force, arguing that retrospective implementation would unfairly disrupt long-standing welfare activities.
The party also sought exemption for assets managed by minority and religious institutions from vesting provisions, citing constitutional safeguards under Articles 25 to 30.
In Sixth Schedule areas and states covered under Articles 371A to 371H, it said any sale or transfer of vested immovable property should require compliance with state land laws and prior approval of the Autonomous District Council or the state government.
The UDP further recommended that disqualification for FCRA registration should be based only on a final court conviction for offences directly linked to foreign contributions and not merely on FIRs or pending investigations.
It also proposed allowing organisations under suspension to utilise existing funds for essential expenses such as salaries, rent, utilities and statutory dues to prevent disruption of schools, hospitals and other public services.
Calling for wider consultations before the amendments are finalised, the party urged the Centre to engage with state governments, Church organisations, Autonomous District Councils and civil society groups to evolve what it described as a balanced and people-centric FCRA framework that safeguards both national interests and institutions serving vulnerable communities across Meghalaya and the Northeast.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Meghalaya, I can vouch that church-run schools and NGOs are the backbone of education in our state. Without them, thousands of tribal kids would have no access to schooling. The Centre must listen to the UDP on this. Transparency is good, but strangulation is not the answer.
I understand the need for oversight after some NGOs were found misusing foreign funds. But the proposed rules seem excessively punitive. The court-supervised mechanism for vesting assets is a sensible suggestion. Also, disqualification based on FIRs rather than convictions goes against basic legal principles.
The UDP is right to flag the retrospective effect issue. You can't punish institutions that have been working transparently for 30-40 years just because new rules came in. At least make it prospective. Also the point about Sixth Schedule areas and consent of Autonomous Councils is very important for the Northeast.
I am not against FCRA reform per se, but the execution seems very problematic. The Church and minority institutions in Meghalaya are not just religious spaces - they run essential services like clinics, orphanages and skill centres. The government should hold wider consultations before pushing this through.
This is a classic case of "one-size-fits-all" policy making. What works for large states doesn't necessarily work for the Northeast with its unique tribal governance structures and autonomy provisions. The UDP deserves credit for bringing these nuanced concerns to the table. Hope Delhi listens.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.