FCRA Bill Stalled? A Political Play for Delimitation Allies
FCRA Bill Stalled? A Political Play for Delimitation Allies
Is the government stalling the controversial FCRA amendment bill? Analysts suggest it's a strategic move to win over DMK & NCP(SP) for the upcoming delimitation exercise. Dive into the political chess game in Parliament.
NEW DELHI, As the Parliament's monsoon session draws to a close, a notable absence from Monday's Lok Sabha agenda is the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill. This contentious piece of legislation, introduced on March 25, has not yet been taken up for discussion amidst fierce protests from opposition parties and minority groups, particularly Christian organizations.
The delay is sparking speculation that the government might be strategically slowing its pace on the bill. The aim? To sweeten the deal for parties like the DMK and NCP(SP), which have voiced strong opposition to the bill's provisions. These parties are seen by the governing alliance as potential backers for the crucial delimitation exercise, which determines the boundaries of electoral constituencies.
Christian groups, significant recipients of foreign funding, have vehemently decried the proposed amendments. They argue that the bill threatens their charitable works and could empower the government to seize their assets if their FCRA license is revoked or not renewed. The political landscape became even trickier for the BJP when DMK president M.K. Stalin publicly supported the demand from various church denominations to either withdraw the bill entirely or send it to a joint parliamentary committee for thorough scrutiny.
Sources indicate that clarity on the bill's future may emerge from Monday's Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting, where upcoming agenda items are finalized. For the bill to be considered for passage in the remaining four days of the session (ending August 13), a schedule for discussion would need to be fixed. However, Monday's agenda includes the introduction of four other bills, with no mention of the FCRA amendment. It appears the government might prefer a full-fledged debate on the FCRA bill, perhaps to address the significant criticisms leveled against it.
