The Centre has indicated that the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, will be tabled for discussion and passage in Parliament on August 12, while clarifying that its provisions are intended to apply prospectively rather than retrospectively. The assurance came after Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and a delegation of senior church representatives met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The meeting was held amid growing concerns in Mizoram over the proposed legislation, particularly among religious organisations and civil society groups that receive foreign funding. The delegation conveyed apprehensions that retrospective implementation could adversely affect organisations over past compliance issues.
Following the discussions, the Mizoram delegation said the Centre had clarified that the proposed law would not be enforced on activities undertaken before its enactment. The clarification is expected to ease concerns among organisations that feared legal uncertainty if earlier transactions were brought under the new framework.
The proposed amendment seeks to introduce a stronger regulatory mechanism for monitoring foreign-funded organisations. One of its key provisions empowers a designated authority to take temporary control of foreign contributions and assets of organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or allowed to lapse.
If such organisations fail to restore or renew their registration within the prescribed period, the assets and foreign funds could be permanently transferred to the designated authority under the provisions of the Bill.
The legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this year and has triggered widespread political debate, with several opposition parties and non-governmental organisations expressing concerns over its potential impact on charitable and faith-based institutions.
Meanwhile, the Centre has intensified efforts to end the ongoing deadlock in Parliament and secure support for key legislative proposals during the Monsoon Session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has held consultations with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders as the government attempts to build consensus on pending Bills.
Apart from the FCRA Amendment Bill, discussions are also underway on other major legislative proposals, including measures linked to women’s reservation and parliamentary delimitation, with the government engaging both NDA allies and opposition parties to ensure smoother proceedings in the House.
