FCRA AMENDMENT UNDER FIRE AS MPCC LEADS PROTEST MARCH IN SHILLONG
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today staged a protest march in Shillong against the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that the legislation could adversely affect organisations and institutions dependent on foreign contributions.
The protest march began at Madan Iewrynhep, Laitumkhrah, and culminated at Don Bosco Square, where the party held a brief public meeting at the Don Bosco Square.
Addressing the gathering, MPCC President, Vincent H. Pala strongly opposed the proposed amendments, describing them as detrimental to organisations receiving foreign assistance, particularly Mission institutions and voluntary organisations.
Pala said several Mission schools, hospitals, places of worship and other social welfare and development projects rely on foreign contributions for their activities. He warned that the proposed changes could create difficulties for organisations that do not possess or are unable to retain FCRA licences.
The MPCC President also alleged that while several organisations were granted FCRA permissions during the previous Congress-led government, many licences were subsequently cancelled under the BJP-led government.
Maintaining that the agitation was not merely a political protest by the Congress, Pala said the party was raising the issue in the larger interest of people and institutions dependent on such assistance.
He further asserted that the Congress would continue its opposition to the proposed amendment through street protests, legislative forums and Parliament, and would also approach the courts if necessary.
