India pushes back against US criticism of proposed FCRA changes

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act were India’s “internal affairs”, three days after a United States Congressman raised concerns about the move.

Registration under the Act is mandatory for non-profit organisations to receive foreign funds. A key provision of the draft legislation allows the Union government to take control of a non-governmental organisation’s foreign funds and assets if its FCRA registration lapses or is cancelled.

On Tuesday, Riley Moore, a Republican representative from West Virginia, criticised the proposed amendments, claiming that the Indian Parliament was trying to take control of churches and religious charities.