SHILLONG, APR 6: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act Amendment Bill, 2026, particularly provisions that would allow the State to assume control over assets of organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled.
In a letter, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the party acknowledges the government’s role in ensuring transparency and national security but warned that certain clauses could have “unintended consequences” for civil society institutions.
“While regulatory oversight is necessary, such sweeping powers raise serious questions about proportionality, due process, and the potential for misuse,” the letter stated.
The VPP noted that many affected institutions, including Christian organisations, have operated lawfully for decades in Meghalaya, delivering education, healthcare, and rural development services.
“Any policy framework that creates uncertainty regarding the ownership and management of such institutions may inadvertently disrupt these services and affect the livelihoods of countless beneficiaries,” it said.
The party urged the government to reconsider asset-takeover provisions, ensure due process, hold wider consultations with stakeholders in the Northeast, and introduce safeguards to protect genuine charitable work.
“We believe that a balanced approach can be achieved—one that safeguards national interests while also protecting the invaluable contributions of civil society,” Basaiawmoit wrote.
By Our Reporter
