T’puram: The CPM state secretariat in a statement said that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment Bill brought by the central govt is an attack on the minorities. The Bill has several stringent provisions targeting NGOs, trusts, societies and other institutions to control foreign contributions to non-governmental organizations, it said.If the licence of an NGO is cancelled, its assets cannot be transferred or sold without the prior permission of the central government. The funds and assets of NGOs whose FCRA registration has been cancelled will be managed by authorities appointed by the govt. If the registration is not restored, the assets of the NGOs will be taken over by the govt forever. The acquired assets will be used for ‘public purposes’. The Bill also contains provisions to take strict action against organizations that receive foreign funds and carry out ‘forced religious conversions’. This will pave the way for the seizure of places of worship of minorities and even the educational institutions run by them, observed the CPM state secretariat. The CPM said the move to create unnecessary interference in the functioning of minority institutions and civic organizations raises serious concerns. Provisions that give the central govt the power to renew and cancel licences and seize control of institutions and property through an authority they form are unacceptable. The Modi govt unilaterally passed the Bill, rejecting the concerns and objections raised by opposition parties. The secretariat demanded that the Union govt withdraw from the planned move to snatch the rights of minorities.
