By Matters India Reporter
Guwahati, August 14, 2026: The Assam Christian Forum has welcomed the government’s decision to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed scrutiny, calling it a “democratic and consultative step” that reflects responsiveness to civil society concerns.
In a press release dated August 12, spokesperson Allen Brooks expressed “deep gratitude” to the Union government and offered thanks “to God for His gracious intervention in guiding this process towards greater consultation and dialogue.”
The forum said the referral demonstrates the government’s willingness to hear the voices of NGOs, minority communities and other stakeholders. It pledged constructive engagement with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the committee during deliberations.
“As a body committed to serving the people of Assam and the nation through education, healthcare, social development and charitable initiatives, the Forum remains dedicated to contributing positively to India’s progress,” the statement read.
The group reaffirmed its readiness to work in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation to help shape a balanced statutory framework. It emphasized transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with authorities, noting that the larger interest of the country and its citizens must remain central.
“We pray that the deliberations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee will be guided by wisdom, fairness and the common good,” Brooks said.
The proposed FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 having been referred to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is excellent news. This logical step should have been taken long ago. Will JPC constitute 33% or 50% women’s quota? Several top Management Consultancy firms are striving to reach 50% women’s representation in their payrolls. When will our MPs give up their patronizing (Paternal) attitude?
At the same time, it is difficult to understand why chief ministers of North-eastern states have directly got into the FCRA fray. Does it indicate they run NGOs parallel to running their own state governments? By the way, the USA has a nasty habit of poking its fingers into the internal affairs of other countries. Who is the USA to dictate what India’s FCRA should be? It’s totally India’s prerogative to decide what its laws should be. When the USA passes laws or imposes huge tariffs on India, does India intervene? Similarly, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore or any other US parliamentarian, has no locus standi to speak on India’s internal matters from 12,000 kms away. Let Indian parliamentarians debate the FCRA Amendment Bill among themselves, instead of wasting valuable time and money, as they did in this Monsoon Session. By the way, how about pay cuts of our MPs who only play to the gallery and waste valuable time in parliament?