The Nagaland Chief Minister says the proposed amendments must not undermine the role of churches and charitable institutions in education, healthcare and social welfare
Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has welcomed the Centre’s decision to refer the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), saying the review can address genuine concerns surrounding the legislation.
Concluding the discussion on the Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Rio said the proposed amendments had triggered widespread apprehension, particularly among Christian organisations and church institutions.
The Chief Minister highlighted the historic contribution of churches and charitable organisations to Nagaland through education, healthcare, social welfare, livelihood support and humanitarian assistance, especially in remote areas.
Rio said increasing FCRA compliance requirements had already placed financial and administrative burdens on such organisations and warned that further changes could compound these challenges.
The Chief Minister also said that he had consulted church leaders and written to the Union Home Minister, urging greater scrutiny of the proposed amendments in view of Nagaland’s social and geographical context.
Welcoming the JPC referral, Rio said it would allow comprehensive examination and stakeholder participation. He expressed confidence that the process would “address genuine concerns, remove apprehensions and build greater public confidence” in the proposed regulatory framework.
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