Shillong: The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was held in Shillong on Monday. JPC chairperson and BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said the amendment was necessary as the original Act was enacted in 2010.“This is the first meeting outside Delhi. CM Conrad K Sangma specifically asked us to come to Meghalaya and listen to the problems of those groups who have foreign contributions. We have taken note of every suggestion,” he said.Stakeholders gave “constructive feedback” and have been asked to submit detailed replies within 15 days, after which the committee will prepare a final Bill, the JPC chairperson said.“Out of the Rs 22,000 crore coming into the country as foreign contributions, only around six per cent goes to churches and other faith-based organisations. The remaining amount goes to NGOs and other organisations,” he said.“Pleased to meet with members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on FCRA at Umroi Airport. Thank the members for taking the time to consult with stakeholders in Shillong and for ensuring that their views and perspectives are heard and considered as part of the deliberations on this important amendment,” CM Sangma conveyed through his social media handle.Besides the Archbishop of Guwahati, around 40 organisations from Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Assam placed their respective views before the JPC.Altogether 84 organisations have expressed interest to depose before the JPC, Jaiswal said.“We want to have practical solutions to the practical problems being presented before us. Our interest is national interest, and we are listening to all concerned stakeholders before arriving at any conclusion,” he said.The panel will also hold hearings in Kochi and Chennai before taking a final decision.
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