Better late than Never ::: Naga CM Rio writes to Amit Shah urging to refer FCRA Bill to "greater parliamentary scrutiny"

 Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who a leader of a key NDA  constituent party, has urged Home Minister Amit Shah to refer the much talked about FCRA draft law to a Joint parliamentary committee (JPC).  

".... I respectfully submit that the proposed legislation would benefit from wider discussion, deliberation and consultation with all stakeholders, particularly organisations and communities that are likely to be directly impacted by its provisions," Rio wrote in his letter to Shah.

The missive dated Aug 9th; says such a move would actually "reflect the concerns and sentiments being expressed by the Christian community in Nagaland as well as Christian and other minority communities across the country".

"I therefore request the Government of India to consider subjecting the proposed amendments to greater parliamentary scrutiny and wider stakeholder consultation," the latter said.  

Rio does a little balancing act and says - "We fully recognise and respect the responsibility of the Government of India to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with the law in respect of foreign contributions. 

"It is equally important that our regulatory framework prevents misuse and safeguards the national interest. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that genuine charitable, educational, healthcare and humanitarian institutions, which have rendered exemplary service to our nation for generations, are not inadvertently affected or placed under uncertainty." 

He also wrote:

"I have also been given to understand that while some church organisations continue to receive foreign contributions, applications for renewal of FCRA registration of certain other organisations have reportedly been declined on grounds relating to the alleged utilisation of such funds for religious conversion. 

In this regard, I would respectfully submit that, considering that more than 90 per cent of the population of Nagaland is Christian, such cases may merit careful and sensitive examination in the specific context of the nature and purpose of the activities actually undertaken by the organisations concerned. 

It is important that legitimate charitable, educational, healthcare and social-welfare activities, which have served our people for generations, are not inadvertently affected on the basis of broad or generalised assumptions, particularly where the organisations concerned have otherwise remained compliant with the applicable laws and regulatory requirements. 

"The cases of such organisations whose renewal has been denied may kindly be reviewed and taken up with all seriousness, with due consideration given to the nature and purpose of the activities actually undertaken by them. 

"Given the distinctive social and demographic context of Nagaland, it is important that such cases are examined objectively and on an individual basis, so that genuine charitable, educational, healthcare and social-welfare activities are not adversely affected on account of broad or generalised assessments." 

Rio : 'NDA compatriot of Amit Shah' 

 

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. Lalduhom's party ZPM is not a BJP-led NEDA constituent. In 2023, BJP's ally in Mizoram, the MNF was ousted by the ZPM. 

Lalduhoma and Amit Shah

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and handed over a memorandum, expressing concerns over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. 

Lalduhoma later said Shah has assured him that the Bill will not have any retrospective provision. 

“The Home Minister assured me that the retrospective clause will not be there,” Lalduhoma said. Shah understandably also indicated that the FCRA Amendment Bill is likely to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on August 12. The ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament comes to an end on August 13. 

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