Assam Christian Forum opposes proposed FCRA Amendment Bill

The Assam Christian Forum has opposed the proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act , urging the Centre and the MPs from the eight northeastern States to abandon its “draconian” provisions.

The forum said they should instead amend the existing FCRA 2010 in accordance with the norms of natural justice.

“The proposed amendments pose a severe threat to civil society organisations, churches and institutions that serve the poor, Dalits, tribals and marginalised communities across Assam and the northeast,” the forum said.

The key provisions of the proposed amendment include forfeiture of all movable and immovable assets built in whole or in part with foreign contributions since the original 1976 Act; the creation of a Designated Authority empowered to take over such assets and dispose of them under undefined norms; and the transfer of remaining funds of deregistered organisations to the Consolidated Fund of India.