KC Venugopal Writes to Om Birla on FCRA JPC: 'No Meaningful Consultation'

Congress MP KC Venugopal urged Speaker Om Birla to ensure the FCRA Bill JPC invites public memoranda and hears stakeholders, and to extend its deadline if needed.

The new letter

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging that the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the FCRA Amendment Bill is not holding meaningful consultations with stakeholders. He warned that a hurried report could allow the Bill to be passed in the Winter Session without proper scrutiny.

What Venugopal asked for

• A public notice inviting written memoranda
• Oral evidence from all affected stakeholders
• An extension of the committee's reporting deadline if required
• No floor debate until the committee completes a full examination

Congress's long opposition

This is not a new stand. In April, Venugopal called the Bill 'blatantly unconstitutional' and said it would harm NGOs and minority-run organisations, The Hindu reported when Congress MPs protested outside Parliament. In August he said the party would not allow it to pass amid disruptions.

The government view

The government says the Bill protects national security and fills legal gaps. The Times of India reported in April that Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted it was not aimed at any religion. The decision in August to refer the Bill to a 31-member JPC was presented by the government as proof of openness.

What the Speaker can do

The Speaker can extend a committee's time and committees regularly issue public notices inviting suggestions. Whether Om Birla intervenes, or leaves the process to the chairman, will shape how long the review lasts.

Why readers should care

Thousands of schools, hospitals and charities depend on foreign donations. How much they are heard before the JPC reports may decide whether the final law is narrowed, changed or passed largely as drafted.