The 31-member panel will examine proposed changes to rules governing foreign contributions and assets held by organisations whose FCRA registration has ended.
The Centre on Wednesday referred the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) amid strong protests from Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha. The motion was moved by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
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The Opposition also questioned the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose name had earlier appeared against the resolution in the Supplementary List of Business.
The proposed JPC will comprise 31 members—21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The committee is expected to conduct a detailed examination of the Bill and submit its report before the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.
Opposition Demands Withdrawal
Opposition parties have criticised the legislation, alleging that it could be used to target non-governmental organisations and minority-run institutions.
Congress leader KC Venugopal described the Bill as “anti-minority” and demanded its withdrawal. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also opposed the legislation, saying the entire Opposition was against it.
The Opposition’s concerns centre on a provision that would allow the government to appoint a “Designated Authority” to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created with such funds if an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.
Government Defends Provisions
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the decision to refer the Bill to the JPC, saying the committee would give Opposition parties an opportunity to present their concerns in detail.
Rijiju also rejected the allegation that the legislation was anti-minority. “Show me one provision in the Bill which is against the minorities of the country,” he said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has said the proposed amendments are intended to establish a statutory framework for the supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets. The government has also cited the need to rationalise penalties and require central approval before investigations are launched.
Following criticism of the asset-related provisions, the MHA clarified that the Designated Authority would manage only assets created from foreign contributions and only after an organisation’s registration had lawfully ceased. The Bill further states that if such an asset is a place of worship, its religious character must be preserved.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
