Aizawl, Jul 21 (PTI) The opposition Congress on Tuesday held a demonstration in Aizawl against the Centre’s proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill.
The demonstration was held outside Vanapa Hall, opposing the move to introduce the Bill during the ongoing Parliament session.
State Congress senior vice-president Lalnunmawia Chuaungo alleged that the proposed amendment would make it more difficult for organisations receiving foreign contributions to obtain certification and seek legal remedy in case their applications are rejected.
He claimed the legislation would adversely affect churches and NGOs in Mizoram that rely on foreign funding to run hospitals, schools and welfare programmes for the underprivileged.
Congress’s Mizoram in-charge Chella Kumar accused the Centre of targeting NGOs and minority communities through the proposed amendment.
He said institutions established with FCRA support, including churches, hospitals, schools and welfare organisations, could face serious difficulties if the Bill becomes law, and asserted that the Congress would continue to oppose it.
During the protest, the state Congress adopted six resolutions, including a demand for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed legislation.
Among the other resolutions, the Congress sought a meeting convened by the chief minister involving church leaders, NGO representatives and political parties to jointly press the Centre for withdrawal of the Bill.
The state Congress also urged Mizoram’s two MPs to vote against the Bill instead of abstaining and demanded that the state government convene a special session of the assembly to pass a resolution opposing the proposed amendment. PTI CORR SOM
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