DMK MP P. Wilson Flags FCRA Amendment Risks to Voluntary Organisations

Rajya Sabha member P. Wilson of the DMK has voiced strong reservations about amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) introduced on March 25, 2026, warning that the changes could carry serious consequences for voluntary organisations and the communities they serve.

Speaking at a consultation meeting in Vijayawada on Sunday, organised by the National Alliance of Civil Society Organisations (NACSO), Mr. Wilson pointed to provisions under which an organisation's assets could vest with the government if its FCRA registration or certificate were cancelled. Such assets, he said, could be auctioned or handed over to a Union or State government department.

He also flagged the situation of organisations whose registrations lapse because of delays in renewal, asking whether assets built up lawfully over decades could fall under government control after cancellation or non-renewal. Questioning the proportionality of such action, he asked how the entire asset base of an organisation could be targeted when the alleged violation concerned only individual transactions.

Mr. Wilson noted that many voluntary organisations run hospitals, schools, colleges, old-age homes, hostels and orphanages with foreign contributions, and cautioned that cancellation of registrations could disrupt these institutions and affect their employees. He also underlined the potential impact on education and healthcare services in tribal and remote areas.

The DMK, he said, has written to the Prime Minister opposing the amendments and seeking their withdrawal, while calling for broader public discussion on the issue.

Meeting organiser Aadikirana said the amendments could force some old-age homes and educational institutions to shut down, and alleged that Christian organisations engaged in social service work could be particularly affected.

The meeting was chaired by Dalit Bahujan Front founder Korivi Vinay Kumar, who announced plans to set up a joint action forum with representatives from organisations across the country. A campaign seeking withdrawal of the proposed changes was also proposed, and the gathering adopted a resolution setting out its future course of action.

Among those who attended were voluntary organisation representatives and leaders including Ambati Ramakrishna, A. Purnachandra Rao, Samuel Jonathan, Pratap Sinha, T. Vijay Kumar and Melam Bhagya Rao.