FCRA Bill To Be Debated On Wednesday Later Passage

New Delhi: With the semblance of order restored in the Parliament for debate and discussion, the government more or less decided to push the controversial FCRA bill for passage on Wednesday. Though the government is stating that it is trying to reach consensus on various issues of the bill, the opposition, led by Congress, will strongly oppose it, as they feel that the amendment would strengthen the government's control over foreign-funded assets in case organisations lose their registration.

Besides the Kerala and North Eastern states, many minority groups are opposing the bill, especially Christian bodies. Christian groups, which are a major recipient of foreign funding, have decried the proposed amendments, saying it threatens their charitable works and will enable the government to seize their assets if their FCRA licence is withdrawn or not renewed.

Kerala MPs alleged that the proposed legislation targeted minorities and NGOs and said the Opposition would not allow it to be passed. They say that the bill is unconstitutional and anti-people. They questioned the alleged foreign funding received by Organisations associated with the RSS while objecting to proposed restrictions on NGOs receiving funds under the FCRA.

The opposition parties' floor leaders are in touch and would take a final decision on Tuesday. Congress, Samajwadi party, DMK, TMC, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Left parties are among those who are opposing the bill. If the government is not ready to withdraw the bill, they should send it to a JPC. All these parties issued a whip to be present in parliament next three days.

The FCRA bill proposes to sset up a "designated authority" which will take control of the foreign contributions in case an entity's FCRA registration stands cancelled, surrendered or lapsed.

There has been contention over three sections of the FCRA bill--- section 14B; section 16A and section 16B.Section 14B, which talks about the " cessation" of an FCRA certificate, will be considered to have ceased if an entity does not apply for renewal; section 16A proposes that the foreign funds received by the organisation whose certificate has ceased; and section 16B, which would allow the new framework to be applied on assets already vested under the earlier law.