Shillong, August 4: The United Democratic Party (UDP), Meghalaya, has urged the Government of India to reconsider several provisions of the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Act, 2026, and the FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, expressing concern over their potential impact on humanitarian, educational, health and social service activities carried out by churches and other institutions in the State.
In a press statement dated August 4, the UDP said it endorsed concerns raised by Church leaders and Meghalaya Chief Minister regarding the proposed amendments. While supporting transparency and accountability, the party stressed that regulation should not become “strangulation” and submitted a series of suggestions for consideration by the Centre.
Among its key demands, the UDP called for automatic provisional vesting of assets to be replaced by a court-supervised and reasoned process, with no permanent vesting until all judicial appeals have been exhausted. It also sought non-retrospective application of the vesting provisions, saying assets created before the commencement of the 2026 Act should be exempt.
The party further sought protection for assets administered by minority educational and religious institutions, Church properties and ministries, arguing that their management should remain undisturbed in view of constitutional guarantees under Articles 25 to 30.
The UDP also called for safeguards for Sixth Schedule areas and States covered under Articles 371A to 371H, stating that any transfer of vested immovable property in such areas should comply with State land laws and require prior consent of the concerned Autonomous District Council or State Government.
On registration, the party proposed that disqualification should be based on a final conviction for serious offences directly related to foreign contributions rather than merely on FIRs or pending prosecutions. It also urged that organisations under suspension be allowed to use existing funds for salaries, rent, utilities, statutory dues and other committed obligations to prevent the closure of schools and hospitals.
With regard to the proposed FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026, the UDP sought exemptions for honorary foreign trustees and advisers of minority and educational institutions and Church ministries. It also proposed more flexible operational categories instead of 105 rigid micro-categories, timely clearance of funds and a more reasonable benchmark for assessing activities of grassroots and minority institutions.
The UDP urged the Government of India to conduct wider consultations with State Governments, Church bodies, Autonomous District Councils and civil society before finalising the amendments.
The party said it stands with Church leaders and the Chief Minister in seeking a balanced and people-centric FCRA framework that safeguards national integrity while protecting institutions serving vulnerable communities in Meghalaya and the North East.
