- Amit Shah to visit Karimnagar on Oct 4th
- SIR verification deadline set for 5 November, says Telangana CEO
- MP govt must plug gaps in land rights, tribal welfare: LoP Rahul Gandhi during Balaghat visit
- Allu Arjun Launches ICONZA On His Grandfather Allu Ramalingaiah’s Birth Anniversary
- Centre launches National PNG Drive 3.0 to boost natural gas in India's energy mix
- Proposed Urdu festival at Karnataka Vidhana Soudha sparks row; BJP objects as Minister Khader offers to consider changes
- Spiritual leaders welcome Baba Ramdev’s remark that Indian Muslims are converted; say Sanatan tradition is ancient
- Special 'Mahapuja' at Somnath Temple for Capt Smit Machchhar’s recovery
FRCA Should Not Become a Fraud on Parliament: Congress MP Seeks JPC Extension
In Short
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal has sought an extension for the JPC reviewing the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026, alleging inadequate stakeholder consultations and raising concerns over its impact on civil society groups and constitutional rights.

Congress MP K C Venugopal
After ‘Vote Chori’ the Congress party wants to highlight the issue of the FCRA before the winter session of the Parliament and demand withdrawal of the bill as it feels the bill is an attempt at relentless weaponisation aimed at depriving millions of Indians of crucial aid in healthcare, education, and livelihood generation.
"The relentless weaponisation of the FCRA over the past few years has already led to the cancellation of thousands of licenses, depriving millions of Indians of crucial aid in healthcare, education, and livelihood generation,"
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2026, and from the outset all Opposition parties opposed it in one voice. It was then referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee and the government hopes to take it up for discussion during the winter session if the JPC report is submitted to the Speaker by that time.
The Congress MP K C Venugopal on Thursday wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging that no meaningful discussion was taking place in the JPC. He said the JPC was not making any attempt to hold serious discussions with stakeholders and appears to be in a mood to hastily pass the bill in winter session.
Venugopal, who posted the letter on his X handle, said that if stakeholders were not consulted, it would defeat the very purpose of the JPC. He urged the Speaker to direct the JPC to invite suggestions from stakeholders through written memoranda and take up an oral hearing. He was of the view that since this exercise was important, the JPC needs more time and hence the deadline for submitting the report be extended.
In his letter, he said, "I write to draw your kind attention to the manner in which the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 is reportedly proceeding, and to seek your intervention as the custodian of this House and its Committees."
Proposals such as extending the bar on foreign contribution to "any person" and transferring the funds and assets of an organisation to a government-designated authority on cancellation or non-renewal of its registration have caused deep anxiety among these institutions, Venugopal said.
Justifying the demand for extension of deadline, the Congress MP said, this is a highly sensitive Bill with wide-ranging ramifications on the Constitutional rights of minorities and civil society groups.
"We believe that any Bill that emerges out of a JPC should be flawless, and Parliament should be assured that it has passed through a rigorous consultation process. Without ensuring that, a JPC is a meaningless exercise and a fraud on the Parliament," he added.
CM stages dharna at CEO office, demands criminal case over alleged deletion of voters through Form 7
PNG: Need of the Hour in Two Telugu States
Exposing Auqib and Gurnoor to pressure situations will give long-term benefit to Indian cricket: Gambhir
iPhone 17 Pro Price Drops to ₹80,143 With Exchange and Bank Offers
FRCA Should Not Become a Fraud on Parliament: Congress MP Seeks JPC Extension
Aviation Security Needs a Relook: Pilot Checks Must Be Strengthened
CM stages dharna at CEO office, demands criminal case over alleged deletion of voters through Form 7
iPhone 17 Pro Price Drops to ₹80,143 With Exchange and Bank Offers
Ajay Devgn’s Daastaan: The Drishyam Recap Takes Fans Back To The First Two Parts
iPhone 18 Pro Speaker Crackling Issue Reported, Apple Yet to Respond

