The Joint Parliamentary Committee tasked with examining the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, held its first regional consultation outside the national capital on Monday. Convened in Shillong, the hearing brought together religious organisations, non-governmental groups, and various civil society representatives to gather their perspectives on the draft legislation.
Around 40 Groups from Northeast Attend
Delegates representing approximately 40 organisations from Meghalaya along with nearby northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur, participated in the deliberations and formally submitted their recommendations. Committee Chairman Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, who presided over the session, noted that Shillong was chosen as the first venue outside New Delhi following a request from Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who urged the panel to directly examine the concerns of regional entities receiving overseas funds.
Fifteen-Day Window for Written Clarifications
During the interactions, the parliamentary panel sought further clarifications from multiple groups regarding their operational representations. These organisations have been granted a period of 15 days to tender their detailed explanations in writing. The committee intends to continue its nationwide stakeholder outreach before formulating its concluding recommendations, with scheduled upcoming consultation rounds planned in Kochi and Chennai.
Balancing Welfare Promotion and National Security
Explaining the legislative vision, the chairman stated that the proposed revisions seek to simplify procedures for entities legitimately involved in social welfare initiatives. At the same time, the framework aims to introduce robust regulatory checks against actions that could potentially compromise national security and core national interests. Dr Jaiswal emphasised that the panel will pay close attention to issues raised by smaller grassroots setups, including outfits assisting persons with disabilities, ensuring every stakeholder submission is carefully evaluated before finalizing the official report.
