Govt hints at JPC for FCRA Bill, opposition demands total rollback

NEW DELHI: Discussion on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011 (FCRA) 2026, did not figure Monday in the business advisory committee (BAC) deliberations involving govt and different parties over Lok Sabha’s agenda for the remaining three days of the monsoon session, deepening uncertainty over whether the governing alliance will push for passage of the contentious legislation.Govt is said to have reached out to the Congress-led opposition seeking its views on referring the FCRA bill to a joint committee of Parliament for scrutiny.Sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla spoke with Congress member of Parliament KC Venugopal regarding the govt’s proposal, but he instead sought complete withdrawal of the legislation.Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill was introduced on March 25 in Lok Sabha’s last session but has not been taken up for discussion yet amid sharp protests from opposition parties and minority groups, especially Christian bodies. Govt sources said they are looking at allaying their concerns, insisting that the apprehensions of Christian groups are ill-founded as the bill is religion-neutral. “Moreover, they receive less than 17% of funding under FCRA. But complaints have primarily come from them. We are sure about our bill but will reach out to critics,” a minister said.With opposition protesting in Parliament over a host of issues, a discussion on the bill is all but ruled out, denying govt an opportunity to address the criticism.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.