The Modi-led Union Government on Wednesday moved to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), even as Parliament continued to witness repeated disruptions by the Opposition.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to move the resolution in the Lok Sabha. According to the Supplementary List of Business, the proposed JPC will comprise 21 members from the Lok Sabha, nominated by the Speaker, and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha, nominated by the Chairman.
The resolution also proposes that the committee submit its report by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026. Its quorum will be one-third of the total membership, while the committee will otherwise function under the rules governing parliamentary committees, subject to modifications made by the Speaker.
The move comes against the backdrop of an almost uninterrupted political standoff in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. The Opposition has been demanding a response from Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police excesses during the July 20 student protest, besides raising the Ram Mandir donation theft controversy.
Earlier on Wednesday, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge backed the demand for sending the FCRA Bill to a JPC, saying, “It should be sent.” However, sources indicated that the Opposition’s larger demand is for the proposed legislation to be scrapped altogether.
The FCRA governs the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and organisations in India. The law is intended to ensure that foreign funds are accepted and utilised in accordance with the purposes for which they are received and in compliance with statutory requirements.
What is the FCRA Amendment Bill?
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and is currently under parliamentary consideration. The revised FCRA Rules, 2026, were notified by the government on June 22 and have since come into force.
By sending the amendment Bill to a JPC, the government has effectively opened the proposed legislation to a more detailed examination involving members of both Houses of Parliament. The committee will be tasked with scrutinising the Bill before submitting its recommendations within the stipulated timeline.
Wednesday’s proceedings, however, remained dominated by disruptions. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned until 2 pm, but the uproar resumed after the Houses reconvened. The Lok Sabha proceedings were presided over by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
The Monsoon Session is scheduled to conclude on August 13, leaving Parliament with limited time amid the continuing confrontation between the government and the Opposition.
