NEW DELHI: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill was formally referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Wednesday after the Centre moved a motion to this effect in Parliament.Union minister Nityanand Rai moved the motion in the Lok Sabha after the House resumed proceedings following its morning adjournment.“That the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, be referred to a Joint Committee of the Houses consisting of 21 Members of this House to be nominated by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, and 10 members of Rajya Sabha to be nominated by Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha,” the motion moved by the junior home minister stated.According to the Supplementary List of Business for the Lok Sabha, the proposed Joint Committee will comprise 31 members, including 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.The committee will examine the Bill in detail and submit its report to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session in 2026.The motion also specified that one-third of the committee’s total membership would constitute the quorum for its meetings.While the government has moved to refer the Bill to a committee for review, the Congress has maintained its opposition to the legislation and called for its complete withdrawal. The Opposition has previously raised concerns that the proposed amendments could be used to target civil society and minority institutions.Congress MP KC Venugopal sought the withdrawal of the Bill, a demand that also received support from Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav.In reply, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the opposition should welcome the government’s decision to refer the Bill to a JPC, adding that it contained no provision targeting minority institutions.The FCRA regulates the receipt and use of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and organisations in India, with the aim of ensuring that such funds are used for the purposes for which they are received.
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The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and is currently under consideration by Parliament.The monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and is scheduled to conclude on August 13. Proceedings have been repeatedly disrupted by opposition protests over several issues, including Delhi Police action against protesters on July 20. Several Bills have been passed in the Lok Sabha amid opposition protests and limited debate.
