Meghalaya CM meets Amit Shah, conveys FCRA amendment concerns

Guwahati

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has urged the Centre to address the State’s concerns over the proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), saying it could adversely affect Christian institutions involved in public service.

The Chief Minister, leading a delegation of Meghalaya-based Christian leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Sunday (July 5, 2026) to convey their concerns about the proposed amendments to the FCRA. Christians comprise almost 75% of Meghalaya’s population.

The delegation focused on Section 16A(5), a clause in the proposed amendment that would empower a designated authority to take over or dispose of assets—buildings, schools, hospitals, and land—created with foreign contributions in cases where an organisation’s registration is cancelled or not renewed.

The Chief Minister highlighted how the proposed changes could disrupt the functioning of religious, educational, and charitable institutions that have long complemented government efforts in education, healthcare, and community development.

He said any regulatory changes must take into account Meghalaya’s unique circumstances and ensure that genuine institutions engaged in public service can continue their work without undue disruption. He requested the Centre to adopt a balanced and consultative approach that recognises the contributions of these organisations while addressing regulatory concerns.

“Any changes to the law should not disrupt the functioning of genuine institutions engaged in public service,” Mr Sangma said.

Christian leaders who accompanied the Chief Minister included the representatives of the Presbyterian Church of India, the North East India Christian Council, the Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong, and the Garo Baptist Convention.

The Church bodies said that the possible takeover of buildings, schools, hospitals, land and other assets built with foreign funds could adversely affect people, particularly students and patients, in remote rural areas of Meghalaya and other northeastern States where government infrastructure is limited.

Earlier, the Meghalaya-based Voice of the People Party had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking to protect NGO assets and ensure uninterrupted delivery of welfare services. The State’s senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, Alexander Laloo Hek, sought wider consultations with stakeholders before the FCRA is amended.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister is the national president of the National People’s Party (NPP), a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. The BJP is a minor partner of the NPP-headed Meghalaya government.