Shillong, Aug 7: Cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui today said that the sweeping powers awarded to the central government in the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are “dangerous”.
There has been widespread opposition to the amendments from across the political spectrum in Christian-majority Meghalaya given the threats posed by the legislation to NGOs, churches, etc who have received or continue to receive foreign funding.
Rymbui said that opposition to the FCRA is limited to this proposed amendment as it empowers the government to seize property if the FCRA licence of an entity is late in being renewed or if it is cancelled for different reasons.
He said that the central government has defined all key functionaries of a trust or an organisation as personally liable.
Rymbui hoped that better sense prevails, adding that the state government has met the Centre on the issue to express its reservations and opposition.
He hoped that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister would listen to the voice of the people.
