3 weeks ago
Centre Addresses Foreign Funding Bill Concerns, Wants Passage Next Week
India has a special rule about money that comes into the country from other countries to support groups like charities, schools and hospitals.
The government wants to change this rule to make it stricter.
Some people, especially Christian organisations, were worried that the new rule might let the government take away buildings and things they built with foreign money long ago.
Home Minister Amit Shah met with leaders to talk about these worries.
He promised that the new rules would not look backwards and punish things from the past.
The government says the new rule is mostly the same as a plan from 2010.
Last year, India received 17,000 crore rupees from foreign countries, and only 3,000 crore of that went to Christian groups.
The government says it is not trying to hurt any one group and wants to make sure foreign money is used properly.
The new rule will be discussed and voted on in Parliament next week.
Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions with political parties and Christian organisations to resolve concerns over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.
The bill tightens regulations on foreign funding received by Indian NGOs, including provisions on lapsed FCRA registrations and government control of assets.
Government sources say the bill contains no retrospective effect and is essentially the same as the version introduced by the UPA government in 2010.
Christian organisations fear Sections 14B, 16A and 16B could allow the government to take over assets created with foreign contributions, such as schools, hospitals and community centres.
The government plans to bring the bill up for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha next week, with Shah expected to respond to the debate.
- Who
- Home Minister Amit Shah, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, political parties, Christian organisations and top government sources.
- What
- The government addressed objections to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which tightens regulations on foreign funding received by Indian NGOs, and plans to pass it next week.
- Where
- Parliament House, India.
- When
- Discussions were held on Thursday, following the bill's introduction in the Lok Sabha on March 25; debate and passage are expected next week.
- Why
- To tighten regulation of foreign contributions received by Indian NGOs while reassuring Christian organisations that past investments and assets will not be unfairly targeted.
Christian Groups' Concerns
Government Position
Retrospective application of asset provisions
Christian Groups' Concerns
Christian organisations fear that Sections 14B, 16A and 16B could be used to target assets created with foreign contributions in the past, including schools, hospitals and community centres.
Government Position
Government sources say the bill has no retrospective effect and is essentially the same as the version introduced by the UPA government in 2010, so past investments and lapsed registrations will not be unfairly targeted.
Targeting of Christian organisations
Christian Groups' Concerns
Christian organisations are concerned that the government might take over old assets of entities whose FCRA registration expired years ago and which now operate solely on domestic funds.
Government Position
Government sources say misconceptions are being deliberately spread among Christian organisations, only Rs 3,000 crore of the Rs 17,000 crore in foreign contributions went to Christian institutions, and the bill does not target the Christian community or any specific group.
Control of assets after licence expiry
Christian Groups' Concerns
Under Sections 16A and 16B, if an organisation fails to obtain a new licence within the stipulated timeframe, assets created using foreign contributions will permanently vest in the government or its departments.
Government Position
The government will put in place an interim arrangement to manage assets during the disruption period, and the assets will be handed back once the original entity secures a new licence.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill
- Introduced in Lok Sabha
- March 25, previous session
- Contentious sections
- 14B, 16A and 16B
- Foreign contributions received last year
- Rs 17,000 crore (Rs 3,000 crore to Christian institutions)
- Retrospective effect
- None, according to government sources
- Ministry in charge
- Home Ministry (Home Minister Amit Shah)
- Next step
- Discussion and passage in Lok Sabha next week
Quotes
Unnamed government source
A government source explaining the bill’s intent.
“The government has assured that the bill aims to promote the proper management of foreign contributions rather than targeting the Christian community or any specific group.”
NDTV
“The government has clearly stated that the proposed legislation is not intended to unfairly target past investments or registrations that have already lapsed.”
NDTV
Sources
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