Shillong: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a constituent of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance govt, has raised concerns with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi over proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).An eight-member delegation of the party, led by cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui, said the proposed changes could affect the functioning of religious, educational, charitable and social welfare institutions in Christian-majority Meghalaya.Shah told the UDP delegation that proposed amendments to the Act would operate prospectively and would not affect existing arrangements retrospectively.On Monday, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee held a protest rally in Shillong against the proposed amendments. State Congress president and former MP Vincent Pala described the Centre’s move as a “first attack after Independence” on churches, schools and NGOs that receive foreign contributions.CM Conrad K Sangma and other leaders of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) had accompanied church leaders to New Delhi in July to urge Shah to consider that institutions receiving foreign funds run a large number of schools, colleges, hospitals and community service programmes that serve people across Meghalaya, particularly in rural and remote areas. He also asked the Union govt to take into account the state’s “unique circumstances” while addressing FCRA-related issues.The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) had expressed concern that proposed changes would “break vital social programs” as educational and healthcare institutions across Meghalaya would be adversely affected as “these institutions provide essential care where govt services fail to reach”.
