New Delhi, August 12: The central government has decided to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill (FCRA), 2026 to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This proposal was presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and was passed by voice vote.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, introduced the proposal on behalf of the Union Home Minister. The proposed committee will include 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The committee is tasked with reviewing the bill and submitting its report by the last day of the winter session in 2026.
However, the opposition has expressed its dissent against this proposal. Congress MP Venugopal stated, “The government is attempting to target minorities and NGOs. We demand that the government withdraw this bill.”
In response to the opposition’s allegations, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, “KC Venugopal has spoken incorrectly. For several days, Congress and other parties have demanded that the FCRA amendment bill be sent to the JPC. Now, when we are sending this important bill to the JPC, the opposition is objecting.”
Rijiju added that if KC Venugopal or any other member finds any objectionable points in the bill, they can raise them in the JPC, where they will have ample time to discuss. He emphasized, “This bill does not target any minority group. We are establishing rules to keep the entire country safe.”
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also opposed the FCRA amendment bill, stating, “The entire opposition is against the FCRA being introduced by the government. The minister (Kiren Rijiju) claims the bill is not against minority groups. The minister should clarify which bill has been introduced by the government without targeting minority groups.”
In response, Rijiju asserted, “I can responsibly say that there is not a single provision in this bill that is against any minority group.” Challenging Akhilesh Yadav, Rijiju stated, “Falsehoods are being spread in the country. There is no question of targeting any minority group. You (the opposition) want foreign funds to be brought into the country without regulation, which makes no sense.”
Following this, the Lok Sabha passed the proposal to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
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