Lok Sabha Refers FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 To JPC

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.Though it was mentioned in the Lok Sabha Schedule of Business that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would move the motion to send the Bill - over which concerns have been raised by several minority organisations - to the JPC, the motion was moved by Minister of State Nityananda Rai.During the brief discussion, Congress MP KC Venugopal questioned the absence of Amit Shah. He said that the Bill was targeting minorities and demanded that it be withdrawn. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, opposing the Bill, stated that all opposition members are jointly opposing the FCRA Bill, which is anti-minority. Refuting this, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India Kiren Rijiju said that there is no single provision targeting the minority. The Minister said that India was not a "banana republic" and foreign funds can be sourced only as per the procedure established by the law. He asserted that the Bill was aimed at protecting all communities.The JPC, as per the motion, is to consist of 21 members nominated by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 10 members nominated by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The report of the JPC is to be submitted in the first week of the winter session of the Parliament. In April, the Lok Sabha had deferred the debate on the Bill, which was introduced on March 25. This was seemingly in view of the then impending assembly elections in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where various church groups raised concerns over the amendments.Major changes proposed by the BillThe Bill proposes to add Chapter IIIA, which introduces the 'designated authority' to which the foreign contribution of any person shall provisionally vest in cases where the certificate has been cancelled, surrendered, or has ceased. The designated authority is to be appointed by the Central Government.In case a person fails to obtain a fresh certificate or get it renewed or restored within the period specified, the foreign contribution and assets shall permanently vest with the designated authority. Such assets, which have been permanently vested, can be transferred to the ministry, department, or authority of the central or State government as prescribed.In case the asset is a place of worship, it shall be regulated in a manner to ensure that the religious character is maintained.Adding to this, any person whose foreign contributions or assets are vested in the designated authority shall have to share unhindered access to its books of account, electronic records, bank accounts, etc.The designated authority has been given all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit, in respect of summoning and enforcing attendance of any person, requiring the discovery or production of documents, receiving evidence etc.Any person aggrieved by an order passed by the designated authority can file an appeal before the District Judge within 90 days.Under Section 3, certain classes of persons are prohibited from accepting foreign contribution, including a media/news company or association. The amendment proposes to expand the scope by including "any person".An amendment to Section 48 has been proposed, which says that no investigation shall be initiated for any offence under the Act without the prior approval of the central government.

Lok Sabha Refers FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 To JPC

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

Lok Sabha Refers FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 To JPC

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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