Cong says FCRA targeting critics

The Opposition led by the Congress on Sunday objected to the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 which was introduced in the Lok Sabha. It makes Aadhaar mandatory for members of NGOs seeking registration.

A clause in the Bill allows the Centre to hold a summary inquiry and direct bodies with FCRA approval to “not utilise the unutilised foreign contribution or receive the remaining portion of foreign contribution.”

The new legislation seeks to restrict usage of foreign funds by NGOs for administrative purposes to 20 per cent. Currently this limit is 50 per cent. It prohibits any public servant from receiving foreign funds.

The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha by minister of state for home Nityanand Rai, faced objections from leader of the Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, his Congress colleague Manish Tewari and Trinamul Congress’ Saugata Roy, who termed

● A CLAUSE in the Bill allows the Centre to hold a summary inquiry and direct bodies with FCRA approval to “not utilise the unutilised foreign contribution or receive the remaining portion of foreign contribution.”

it a means to “crush dissent” and “concentrate powers in the hands of the government”.

Opposition parties said the proposed amendments were a means to “target those who speak against the government.”

The Bill adds, “Provided the Central government, on the basis of any information or report, and after holding a summary inquiry, has reason to believe that a person who has been granted prior permission has contravened any of the provisions of this Act, it may, pending any further inquiry, direct that such person shall not utilise the unutilised foreign contribution or receive the remaining portion of the contribution which has not been received or, as the case may be, any additional foreign contribution, without prior approval of the Centre.”