SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress on Monday staged a protest against the Centre's proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), saying the changes could harm missionary educational and health institutions across the state and urging greater consultation before the bill is passed.
Concerns over provisional vesting, local institutions
Vincent Pala, president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee and former Member of Parliament, led the rally at Don Bosco Point in Shillong and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue. The protest was aimed at what the party described as an attempt by the ruling national party to push the Bill through Parliament this week.
Pala singled out Section 16A(1) of the proposed amendments, which provides for the provisional vesting of foreign contributions and assets upon cancellation or cessation of an organisation's FCRA certificate, as especially worrying for institutions in the state. He said the provision amounted to a “blanket punishment” and could affect schools, hospitals and charitable organisations that depend on foreign funding for operations.
“Through FCRA we don’t get buildings. We get education, hospitals, and support for the poor. Cut off that help and unemployment and hardship will only grow. Congress is fighting for the future of our children,” Pala said.
At the rally, Pala reiterated that the Congress was not opposed to regulation or to greater transparency and accountability in the receipt and use of foreign funds. He said the party supported action against those who misuse contributions but opposed provisions that would penalise all recipients indiscriminately.
State leaders had sought Centre's assurance
The protest follows earlier efforts by Meghalaya's leadership to seek safeguards for religious and charitable bodies. On July 5, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led a delegation of church and community leaders to meet the Union Home Minister to urge protection for religious, educational and charitable institutions from any adverse provisions in the proposed bill. According to party sources, Amit Shah had assured the delegation that the Ministry of Home Affairs would consult stakeholders.
The Congress rally underlined continuing unease among sections of the state’s civil society and political class about how the amendments might be implemented and their potential local impact.
Practical concerns raised by the party
Speakers at the Shillong rally warned that restrictions or provisional vesting of assets could disrupt services that many communities in Meghalaya rely on, including:
- Missionary-run schools providing subsidised education
- Health institutions offering free or low-cost medical care
- Non-profit organisations running welfare and livelihood programmes
Those concerns reflect the wider debate over the FCRA amendments nationwide, where supporters argue tougher rules are needed to prevent misuse of foreign funds, while critics caution that sweeping provisions could hamper legitimate charitable and social work.
What the Congress wants
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress said it would continue to press for amendments that ensure transparency without crippling charitable activity. It demanded the Centre withdraw or rework provisions it called draconian and sought guarantees that genuine institutions would not face punitive measures.
| Issue | Party stance |
|---|---|
| Provisional vesting (Section 16A(1)) | Opposed; calls it blanket punishment |
| Regulation and accountability | Supported in principle; wants targeted action against misuse |
| Consultation with stakeholders | Demands full consultation and safeguards for institutions |
Representatives of church bodies and community leaders have been part of state-level efforts to secure assurances from the Centre. The Congress and other groups in Meghalaya say they will continue engagement with the Union government while organising public demonstrations to register dissent.
No response was available on Monday from Union ministries or the national ruling party to the specific grievances raised at the Shillong rally. The state-level protest follows similar demonstrations elsewhere where opposition parties and civil society groups have voiced objections to aspects of the proposed law.
As the bill moves through Parliament, Meghalaya's political leaders say they will remain engaged with the process and press for amendments that balance the need to prevent misuse of foreign funds with the protection of institutions that deliver education, healthcare and welfare across the state.
