Congress MP Saleng Sangma Lobbies Foreign Delegates Against FCRA Amendment Bill, Calls It "Draconian"

Congress MP Saleng A Sangma of Tura has raised concerns over provisions of the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, particularly those on FCRA registration and renewal. He said the bill threatens institutions such as schools, colleges, orphanages and religious and charitable bodies, and argued that a delayed renewal could cost an organisation its rights and protections.

Sangma has also insisted his objection is limited. He said, “We are not against the amendment bill” and that his worry is about specific sections. Yet days later he told Northeast Live something that goes further. He said he had asked delegates from the USA, Australia, Korea, England, Mexico and African countries to send an appeal to the Government of India to do away with the bill. Seeking withdrawal of the whole bill sits uneasily with objecting only to certain clauses, and with lobbying foreign representatives to press New Delhi on domestic legislation. Sangma has not publicly addressed that tension.

What the bill does

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and provides for automatic cessation of FCRA registration if it is not renewed before expiry, along with rules on assets created from foreign contributions. It would create a Designated Authority to take over, manage and dispose of the assets of an organisation whose registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceased.

Critics say this goes too far. The ICNL argues that assets could be taken through an administrative process without prior judicial adjudication, which raises due process concerns. PRS Legislative Research notes the bill provides no appeal mechanism or hearing if renewal is denied. Sangma has called the measure “draconian” and asked what would happen to churches and schools with decades-old assets if their FCRA status were withdrawn.

The government’s position

A Press Information Bureau explainer says cancellation does not mean seizure of an organisation’s entire assets. It says the Designated Authority would manage only assets created from foreign contributions, that they vest provisionally and are returned in full if registration is restored in time, and that any assets vesting permanently go to public purposes.

Where it stands

A Joint Parliamentary Committee is examining the bill. Sangma has said he doubts the Centre will act on the concerns raised by church leaders and other Northeast stakeholders, and that the committee may hear them only “for the sake of hearing.” Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said the state is engaging constructively with the Centre on the FCRA framework while making sure its organisations’ concerns are addressed.