Opposition Voices Concerns Over FCRA Bill Set to Be Introduced Next Week
New Delhi, August 1: Opposition parties have expressed strong opposition to the central government’s plan to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill (FCRA Bill) during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament next week. They claim that this bill will halt the operations of numerous NGOs.
Sources indicate that the bill is likely to be presented in the Lok Sabha.
Speaking to the media, CPI National General Secretary D. Raja stated, “Many NGOs and civil society organizations have raised serious concerns that their work will be affected and come to a standstill. This is what the government is trying to achieve.”
He added, “Let’s see what the bill entails and how the government responds.”
CPI(M) MP V. Shivadasan also accused the FCRA Bill of targeting established NGOs that are working for the public good.
He remarked, “They (the government) are only trying to protect the interests of the RSS. Thousands of RSS-affiliated organizations are receiving millions of rupees in various ways, but the government wants to control all other organizations that stand against their anti-people policies or raise voices against this government’s anti-national activities. That’s why they are bringing this bill.”
Shivadasan further stated that CPI(M) will work to unite all opposition parties against this bill.
NCP-SP National Spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui made similar allegations, asserting that the purpose of introducing the FCRA Bill is for the central government to regulate charitable activities conducted by Christian and Muslim communities in the country.
She said, “We oppose the bill because the funds are being spent on the country’s development, including education. If individuals from the Muslim community receive money from abroad for children’s education, the government should not object to that.”
YSRCP MP Gola Babu Rao commented that there should be no issue with receiving genuine foreign funds. He believes it would be beneficial to have a central agency to ensure that such funds are not misused.
He stated, “I think the BJP-led government fears that these funds may be misused in the country and could be sent with ill intentions. However, coming from a common family and being educated, I believe there is nothing wrong with receiving funds from abroad. Additionally, there should be a central agency to investigate that the funds are not misused.”
He further added, “However, funds received for genuine purposes should be welcomed.”
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