Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and urged the Centre to take into account the unique circumstances of the hill state while dealing with issues relating to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Chief Minister Sangma was accompanied by a delegation of senior church and community leaders representing major Christian denominations in Meghalaya, who raised concerns over certain provisions of the FCRA and the proposed amendments to the legislation.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted that religious, educational, charitable and social welfare institutions in the state depend on foreign contributions for carrying out a wide range of public service activities. They said these institutions operate numerous schools, colleges, hospitals and community welfare programmes that cater to people across Meghalaya, particularly in remote and rural areas.
The Chief Minister stressed the critical role played by these institutions in the state's social and educational landscape and urged the Union government to ensure that genuine organisations engaged in public service are not adversely affected by regulatory changes.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Sangma requested the Centre to consider Meghalaya's unique socio-cultural and geographical context while framing or implementing provisions related to the FCRA, so that essential services delivered by faith-based and charitable institutions continue without disruption.
The delegation included Reverend H.L. Myrsing, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of India; Reverend S. C. Diengngan, Chairman of the FCRA Sub-Committee of the Presbyterian Church of India; Reverend Meyu Changkiri, General Secretary of the North East India Christian Council; Father Teiboklang Kharbani, Administrator of the Archdiocese of Shillong; and Durasal R. Marak, Youth Director of the Garo Baptist Convention, among other representatives.
The meeting assumes significance as Christian organisations in Meghalaya have been seeking greater clarity and flexibility in the implementation of FCRA provisions, saying that any disruption in the flow of legitimate foreign contributions could affect educational, healthcare and community development initiatives that benefit thousands of people across the state.