Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking greater parliamentary scrutiny and wider stakeholder consultation on the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Rio has urged that the proposed changes be examined in greater detail, including consideration by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), amid concerns expressed by various sections of society, particularly the Christian community in Nagaland.
In his communication to Shah, Rio said the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Bishop of Kohima had also submitted representations to the Union Home Ministry regarding the proposed amendments.
The Nagaland chief minister said the concerns highlighted by churches and associated charitable organisations pointed to difficulties that could arise from the proposed changes.
“I would request that their representations may be considered with due sensitivity, particularly in the context of the unique social, historical and developmental circumstances prevailing in Nagaland,” Rio said.
Concerns over impact on churches and charitable organisations
Rio’s intervention comes amid concerns among churches and faith-based charitable organisations in Nagaland over the potential implications of changes to the FCRA framework.
The FCRA regulates the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and organisations in India. Churches and charitable organisations that receive foreign contributions are among the entities that operate under the regulatory framework.
The chief minister’s appeal for wider consultation seeks to ensure that the concerns of affected organisations and stakeholders are considered before any amendments are finalised.
Rio seeks wider parliamentary consultation
Rio has called for greater parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed FCRA amendments and suggested that the matter could be examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
The move places Nagaland’s concerns before the Centre as discussions continue over changes to the foreign contribution regulatory framework.