Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), met Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on April 8 to press concerns over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The group sought assurances that any changes to the FCRA would not disrupt essential services delivered by Christian-run schools, hospitals and social agencies in Meghalaya and the Northeast, especially in remote and tribal areas.
The delegation included Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto and other senior church representatives. Sangma said the minister “gave a patient hearing” and promised that wider stakeholder consultations would be held before finalising amendments to the Act. “We emphasised the need for adequate safeguards to ensure the continuity of essential services while upholding transparency and accountability,” Sangma said, adding that the state remains committed to constructive engagement for the region’s welfare.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 but its discussion and passage were deferred amid strong opposition. During the meeting the delegation raised apprehensions about provisions they say could allow seizure of properties of NGOs and religious institutions that receive foreign funds, a step they warned could undermine decades of service in education, healthcare and rural development.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong joined Sangma at the meeting, and a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said the delegation also conveyed concerns voiced by civil society groups and called for a balanced, consultative approach. Kiren Rijiju assured the delegation that all concerns would be carefully examined and that stakeholder consultations would precede any final decision.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) echoed these worries. UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the proposed changes could adversely affect the autonomy and functioning of religious minority institutions and expressed the party’s full support for Sangma and Tynsong’s initiative in taking the matter up with the Centre.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/04/09/cm-raises-fcra-concerns-with-rijiju-calls-for-review/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-04-09 02:48:00
