Congress Member of Parliament KC Venugopal has raised concerns regarding the last-minute introduction of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act Amendment Bill, stating that it aims to target non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and minority communities while favouring other organisations. His comments were made outside Parliament on Wednesday, August 12, shortly after the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Venugopal expressed frustration over the process leading to the bill’s introduction. He noted that a message was received from the Lok Sabha Secretary that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would present the bill, although Shah was not present in Parliament during the discussions. Instead, a Minister of State presented the resolution to send the bill to the JPC for further consideration.

During his address, Venugopal highlighted the necessity for transparency and fairness in the legislative process. He reiterated the Congress party’s demand for a complete withdrawal of the bill, questioning its legitimacy and motivations.

Parliamentary Proceedings and Committee Formation

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill was officially referred to a JPC on Wednesday after a motion was moved by the Central Government in Parliament. Minister Nityanand Rai tabled the motion in the Lok Sabha, which resumed its session following a morning adjournment. According to the Supplementary List of Business, the proposed committee will comprise 31 members, including 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

The JPC’s mandate is to conduct a detailed examination of the bill’s provisions and report back to Parliament by the conclusion of the first week of the Winter Session in 2026. The motion also stipulated that a quorum for the committee’s meetings would consist of one-third of its total members.

While the JPC review is underway, Congress MP KC Venugopal’s calls for the bill’s withdrawal were echoed by Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, indicating a broader opposition stance against the proposed amendments.

Government’s Defence and Opposition Concerns

In response to the criticism from the opposition, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged dissenting members to welcome the government’s decision to refer the bill to a JPC. Rijiju asserted that the legislation does not target minority institutions, seeking to counter allegations made by the opposition parties.

The Congress party has consistently maintained a resolute opposition to the legislation, emphasising their desire for a total withdrawal rather than a mere committee review. Opposition leaders have previously expressed concerns that the amendments could be wielded as tools to undermine civil society and minority institutions.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act is designed to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign donations by Indian individuals, associations, and organisations, ensuring that such contributions serve their intended purposes. Introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is currently under parliamentary scrutiny, with revised rules notified and in effect as of June 22.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share