The Assam Christian Forum has condemned the proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act as draconian, warning that it could strip assets from schools, health centres and tribal institutions built with foreign aid. The forum urges a fair revision of the 2010 Act instead of the confiscatory measures.

Key Takeaways

  • Proposed amendment seeks seizure of assets built with foreign contributions
  • Creation of a Designated Authority with undefined powers
  • Severe impact on civil‑society NGOs and religious institutions

Forum’s Unambiguous Rejection

The Assam Christian Forum appealed to the Centre and MPs from the eight Northeastern states to drop what it calls a “draconian” amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The forum warned that the bill threatens schools, dispensaries and tribal‑area institutions that rely heavily on foreign funding due to inadequate state infrastructure.

Key Provisions of the Draft Bill

The draft calls for forfeiture of all movable and immovable assets created wholly or partially with foreign contributions since the original 1976 Act, establishes a Designated Authority empowered to take over and dispose of such assets under vague norms, and transfers remaining funds of deregistered organisations to the Consolidated Fund of India.

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Spokesperson’s Response

Allen Brooks, the forum’s spokesperson, stated, “Natural justice demands that punishment be proportionate to the offence. Most organisations lost registration over minor technical lapses, not corruption. Confiscating assets built over decades is grossly disproportionate.”

Historical Background

FCRA 2010 was introduced to regulate foreign funding for NGOs, but amendments in 2015 and 2020 tightened registration procedures without introducing asset‑seizure clauses. The current draft marks a stark departure from previous regulatory frameworks.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that passage of this bill could force the closure of hundreds of schools and health centres in Assam’s remote tribal belts, depriving vulnerable populations of essential services and heightening ethnic tensions.

Civil‑society expert Dr. Ajay Singh: “The proposal infringes on fundamental rights and endangers religious freedom.”
Did You Know?: In 2024, fewer than 12,000 NGOs received foreign funding approval, while over 15,000 were denied, often for minor reporting errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will the bill affect all religious institutions? – Yes, the proposed provisions apply uniformly to churches, mosques and temples.
  2. What alternative does the forum propose? – It calls for a transparent amendment to the existing FCRA 2010 rather than a sweeping confiscatory regime.