The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- The government plans to introduce an amendment bill to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in the Lok Sabha during the third week of the Monsoon Session, tightening rules for NGOs receiving foreign funds.
- The bill proposes creating a new 'nominated authority' that would take over funds and assets of NGOs whose registration is cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed, with the government able to sell such assets and deposit proceeds in the state treasury.
- It also sets timelines for holding and spending foreign funds, bars asset transfers during suspension, requires government permission to begin FCRA investigations, reduces the punishment to one year, and makes directors, trustees, and office-bearers liable for violations.
- The government says the changes are needed for greater accountability and transparency among foreign-funded organisations, while the opposition may resist the bill on grounds it could affect the functioning freedom of NGOs, though the government expects it to pass easily.
What to watch next
- Whether the FCRA amendment bill is tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday and how the opposition responds in the house
- Details of how the proposed nominated authority will be constituted and function
- Reaction from NGOs and civil society groups, who have already termed the bill a 'strike' on foreign-funded organisations
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Indian-language1
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Named India · NGOs · Central Government · Lok Sabha · Opposition
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