CBCI Flags 'Dangerous' FCRA Amendments, Warns of Overreach into Minority Institutions

The proposed new authority to take control of NGO assets if the Union government cancels their licence has emerged as a primary concern in FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026.

The Wire Staff

The proposed new authority to take control of NGO assets if the Union government cancels their licence has emerged as a primary concern in FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026.

cbci flags dangerous fcra amendments warns of overreach into minority institutions

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New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed "grave concern" over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), describing the Bill as "dangerous" and "alarming" in its implications. In a statement, the apex Catholic body said the proposed changes, introduced in the Lok Sabha, could enable "executive overreach" into constitutionally guaranteed freedoms under the pretext of licence renewal. It warned that the amendments raise serious concerns about "undue interference" in the functioning of minority institutions and civil society organisations.

The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday (March 26). The CBCI has objected to provisions that would empower the Union government – primarily expressing concern about how a new licensing authority that is being set up will function – that will be able to deny renewal or cancel licences and assume control over institutions, funds, properties and assets of NGOs and minority bodies.

The authority can seize, manage and dispose of assets, and both provisional and permanent vesting is proposed. Such measures, the CBCI said, raise concerns regarding fairness, transparency and accountability.

The organisation also questioned the intent behind the introduction of the Bill in the statement, terming it unilateral and nothing that despite protests from opposition Members of Parliament. It called for wider consultation and deliberation on issues affecting fundamental rights.

The CBCI said provisions enabling the Union government to take control of foreign funds and assets of organisations upon expiry of their FCRA registration are "undemocratic, unconstitutional and contrary to principles of natural justice".

It described the amendments as an attempt to place minority institutions under an "excessively stringent regulatory framework".

What the FCRA amendment Bill proposes

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes the creation of a "designated authority" to take provisional or permanent control of assets of NGOs whose FCRA licences are cancelled, surrendered or lapse, PTI reports. This includes powers to manage and dispose of such assets.

It also introduces timelines for utilisation of funds, regulating assets during suspension, rationalising penalties and requiring prior approval of the central government for initiating investigations.

The CBCI urged the government to reconsider the proposed amendments and "remove all contentious provisions" from the Bill, while ensuring that constitutional rights and freedoms, particularly of minorities, are protected.

This article went live on March twenty-seventh, two thousand twenty six, at thirty-four minutes past seven in the evening.

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