Lok Sabha sends FCRA Bill to JPC
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha has sent the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill to the JPC. The resolution was introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. It was then sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). KC Venugopal, an MP, opposed the bill. He said that they are of the view that the FCRA Amendment Bill should not be passed and had made it clear in the Advisory Committee.
The resolution moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai sought to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a joint committee consisting of 21 members of this House nominated by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 10 members of Rajya Sabha nominated by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Once the resolution is passed, the bill will now go to the JPC for consideration.
After examining the JPC Bill in detail, the report will be submitted to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the winter session. Meanwhile, the Congress has strongly criticized the bill. It is a move targeting Christian organizations. RSS, including those that receive foreign donations, is being brought in to exclude them, said KC Venugopal.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who came out with a response, said that the opposition had been demanding the bill to be sent to the JPC for so many days. With this, the opposition started a ruckus in the house. Kiren Rijiju said that not a single provision is anti-minority and their welfare is the only goal. The Speaker passed the resolution amid opposition protests.
Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Director Fr. Mathew Koikkal said that he was partially happy that the bill was sent to the JPC. The demand is for the complete withdrawal of the FCRA bill, he said, adding that there is a sense of satisfaction and partial happiness in sending the bill to the JPC. Various Christian church organizations welcomed the decision.
