4 hrs ago
Venugopal Flags Concerns Over Foreign Contribution Panel Consultation
A parliamentary committee is studying a proposed law about money received from foreign countries.
K.C. Venugopal says the committee should listen carefully to groups that could be affected.
These groups include charities, NGOs and religious organisations.
He wants the committee to invite public comments and hear experts.
He also wants Parliament to wait before considering the bill.
Some other committee members have asked for more time too.
The government says the changes are meant to make foreign contributions more transparent and accountable.
Opposition groups and Christian organisations worry that the changes could harm minority-run organisations.
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal asked Speaker Om Birla to ensure wider consultation on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
The bill was introduced on March 25 and referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee on August 12.
Venugopal said the proposed changes could affect NGOs, charitable institutions and minority bodies.
He sought public notices, written memoranda, oral evidence and more time for the committee’s scrutiny.
The government says the amendments aim to improve transparency and accountability and are not directed at any religion or community.
- Who
- Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the bill.
- What
- Venugopal has questioned the committee’s consultation process and requested wider public and stakeholder participation.
- Where
- The scrutiny is taking place through Parliament’s Joint Parliamentary Committee process in India.
- When
- His letter was dated October 1; the bill was introduced on March 25, referred to the committee on August 12, and the committee met on September 29.
- Why
- Venugopal says the bill could affect NGOs, charitable institutions and minority bodies and should undergo a comprehensive consultation.
Opposition and Stakeholder Concerns
Government Position
Impact of the amendments
Opposition and Stakeholder Concerns
Opposition parties and Christian groups fear the legislation could affect NGOs and minority-run organisations.
Government Position
The government says the amendments are not targeted at any particular religion or community.
Committee consultation
Opposition and Stakeholder Concerns
Venugopal and several committee members say the panel needs broader public consultation, oral evidence and more time.
Government Position
The committee has begun clause-by-clause briefings from government ministries and was expected to hear domain experts.
Timing of parliamentary consideration
Opposition and Stakeholder Concerns
Venugopal wants Parliament to wait until the committee completes a genuine, comprehensive examination.
Government Position
The bill could be processed before the Winter Session, a possibility that prompted Venugopal’s concern but was not presented as a government decision.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Introduction date
- March 25
- Committee referral
- August 12
- Committee size
- 31 members
- Committee chair
- BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal
- Recent committee sitting
- September 29, when the ministries of home affairs and law and justice briefed members
- Requested consultation period
- At least four weeks for public comments, according to nine committee members
Quotes
K.C. Venugopal
Congress leader and member of Parliament
“If this is so, it would defeat the very purpose for which the House referred the Bill to the Committee, and reduce an important parliamentary process to a mere formality.”
telegraphindia.com
“We believe that any Bill that emerges out of a JPC should be flawless, and Parliament should be assured that it has passed through a rigorous consultation process.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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