The Centre on Wednesday referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) consisting of 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha amid an uproar by the Opposition in the House.
“That the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, be referred to a Joint Committee of the Houses consisting of 21 Members of this House to be nominated by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, and 10 Members of Rajya Sabha to be nominated by Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha,” the List of Business read.
A resolution to this effect, earlier listed against the name of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was moved by Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Soon after MoS Rai introduced
the resolution, Congress leader KC Venugopal and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of bringing in a measure that could hurt minorities. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back, asking Yadav to identify any provision in the proposed Bill that was “anti-minority”.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal pointed out the Opposition’s earlier demand for a JPC, saying the Opposition had previously been asking the government to refer the FCRA Bill to a JPC, but was now objecting when the government had proposed exactly that course.
The government’s decision follows consultations with various stakeholders and objections raised over the proposed changes. A delegation led by DMK MP P Wilson had met Shah, urging the Centre to either withdraw the Bill or send it to a parliamentary committee for detailed scrutiny. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had also raised concerns about the proposed amendments with Shah.
What The Bill Says
One of the Bill’s key proposals is the creation of a designated authority that would take charge of foreign contributions and assets acquired using such funds if an organisation’s FCRA registration expires or is cancelled.
Under the proposed framework, the authority would have provisional custody of the funds and assets. If the organisation fails to secure a fresh, renewed or restored registration within the stipulated period, the assets could eventually be vested with the authority permanently. The Bill also lays down provisions for assets that have been created using a combination of foreign and domestic funds.
The government has argued that the amendments seek to plug gaps in the existing FCRA framework, improve transparency and provide a clear mechanism for dealing with funds and assets when an organisation no longer holds a valid registration. It has also dismissed the Opposition’s charge that the proposed changes are aimed at any particular community.
A JPC can scrutinise the Bill clause by clause, hear from stakeholders and suggest changes. However, its recommendations are advisory and are not binding on the government.
