FCRA Amendment Bill Introduced Amid Opposition Protest, Referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee

New Delhi: The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid protests by the Opposition and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Bill was sent to the JPC through a voice vote after a motion was moved. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha despite protests by Opposition members.

The Opposition also objected to referring the Bill to a JPC, but its objections were not accepted. A 31-member JPC will be constituted to examine the Bill, with 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition had staged widespread protests against the FCRA Amendment Bill, alleging that it was aimed at minorities. However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju argued that the Bill was not targeted at minorities and was intended for the welfare of everyone. Rijiju said those who had objections could raise them before the JPC.

With the Monsoon Session scheduled to conclude on Thursday, the government had failed to reach a consensus with the Opposition on the Bill. The government subsequently introduced the Bill in both Houses and referred it to the JPC despite the protests. Home Minister Amit Shah was initially expected to introduce the Bill in the House, but he did not attend.

The rules under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) were amended and notified on July 22. Under the new notification, foreign contributions can now be accepted only for purposes included in the list specified by the Centre.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had introduced the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha in March. Opposition MPs, including Left MPs, had repeatedly protested in Parliament, alleging that the Bill was aimed at minorities. The Centre, however, proceeded with the legislation without accepting their objections.