Politics
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Tharoor warns FCRA bill threatens charity assets
NDTV··6 Aug
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, saying a Designated Authority could take over foreign funds and assets when FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed. He warned charitable hospitals and schools could face sudden instability. He urged Opposition unity as the Centre prepares the bill for Parliament next week.
Prism
What It Means For You
- NGO and charity workers can watch whether asset-takeover clauses are softened before the bill reaches Parliament.
- Patients and students using foreign-funded hospitals or schools can track how FCRA status links to property control.
- Opposition watchers can note Tharoor's call for Select Committee scrutiny and party unity against the draft.
What's Happening
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in a column.
- The draft would let a Designated Authority manage foreign funds and assets when FCRA registration ends.
- He said ordinary beneficiaries would suffer if charitable hospitals and schools faced asset instability.
What The Designated Authority Clause Would Change
- For places of worship, the Authority would have to maintain religious character while managing assets.
- Tharoor cited earlier FCRA curbs and an 87 percent drop in foreign funding as prior pressure on NGOs.
- As of July 15, 2026, the FCRA portal showed 14,449 active certificates and 22,498 cancellations.
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