Shillong, Aug 7: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) will hold a peaceful march in Shillong on Monday opposing the Centre’s proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), with the party expressing concern over their possible impact on missionary-run institutions in the North East.
Block Congress Committee president Eugene Jarain on Friday described the proposed changes as a “contentious and sensitive issue” and said the matter warranted greater public scrutiny.
Jarain alleged that the central government could move to pass the amendment in Parliament soon, pointing to the voting requirements for legislation to be passed in the h.
“The BJP government is preparing to pass an amendment to the FCRA any time soon. To pass this law it only needs 10 percent attendance in the House and just over 50 percent of those present to vote,” he said.
He argued that the proposed changes could have implications for institutions that have played a significant role in providing education and healthcare across the North East.
“A lot of people in the North East have been educated in missionary schools and born in missionary hospitals. These institutions that raised our standard of living now stand to be under threat under this amendment proposed by the NDA government,” Jarain said.
The march is scheduled to commence at 11am from the Laitumkhrah Fire Brigade ground and will culminate at Don Bosco Square.
Jarain said the programme would be conducted peacefully, with speakers expected to explain the provisions of the proposed amendment to those attending.
“It will be a very silent, peaceful march. There will be no ruckus. Eminent speakers will explain the provisions of the amendment to the public,” he said.
He also appealed to citizens to independently examine the proposed legislation and understand its provisions.
“Go online, go to Google, check AI platforms. See what the proposed amendment says and what the wording is. Be aware and be prepared,” Jarain said.
Maintaining that the march was not intended as a political exercise, he said the issue concerned the wider public given the longstanding role of missionary institutions in the region.
“This is an issue for everyone. For 70-80 years since independence we have depended on these schools, hospitals and printing institutions. The public should study the matter properly and understand where this is going,” he added.
Parties from across the political spectrum in Meghalaya have voiced outright opposition or at least concern over the FCRA amendments.
