Lok Sabha passes Bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the amendments to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act that seek to make Aadhaar mandatory for office bearers of any NGOs to receive foreign funds.

The brief discussion on the bill saw Opposition members voice concerns that the provisions of the draft legislation could be used to target NGOs raising issues related to ‘Dalits’ and minorities, and may create hurdles in running Christian missionary schools.

Congress member Anto Antony said the provisions of the bill will be used to “suffocate NGOs” indulging in philanthropic activities.

Responding to the discussion, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai said the bill will help curb misuse of foreign funds and was not targeted at any religion.

On concerns about Aadhaar being made mandatory for office bearers of NGOs, the minister referred to the Supreme Court judgment that allowed the government to make laws to make the document mandatory.

“Issue of Aadhaar Card was raised. Supreme Court clearly said it’s not mandatory to make Aadhaar Card a means to identify oneself everywhere. But it can be made mandatory by bringing a law, if important. Hence the amendment,” Rai said.

“If director or manager of an organisation want to hide their identity and can’t disclose their address, what work will they do? It casts suspicion on their intention. Why is Aadhaar Card being opposed? The Aadhar Card is a significant proof of identification,” he said.

BJP’s Satyapal Singh said that many organisations receiving foreign contributions were not spending the money on the work it was meant for.

He said that money received as foreign contribution cannot be spent on terrorist activities.

Sougata Roy of the Trinamool Congress said there was “no need” for the bill, stressing that when the Supreme Court has said Aadhaar is not compulsory then why is the government making it mandatory for registration of NGOs.

YSRCP’s Bellana Chandra Sekhar supported the bill, saying it is “much needed.”

Shiv Sena member Shrirang Appa Barne also supported the bill and said that there is a need to come out with a strict law to stop religious conversion.