📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Catholic Biblical Association of America
Religion
Catholic Association of Goa warns FCRA Bill will hit minority institutes
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 06 Oct 2026, 02:37 AM
👁 16
The Catholic Association of Goa cautioned that the newly proposed FCRA Bill could disproportionately affect minority-run institutions in the state.
The Catholic Association of Goa, representing a network of Catholic schools, colleges and charitable bodies, has issued a formal statement expressing concern over the draft Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill. The association argues that several provisions of the bill could place undue restrictions on institutions that rely on foreign donations, many of which are run by religious minorities.
According to the association, the bill's tightened reporting requirements and the proposed ceiling on foreign contributions could disproportionately burden minority‑run NGOs and educational institutions in Goa. It contends that the measures do not differentiate between genuine charitable work and activities that might pose security risks, thereby affecting legitimate religious and social work.
The Catholic Association has called on the state and central governments to revisit the draft, seeking clearer guidelines that protect the financial autonomy of minority institutions while addressing the government's objectives. It also indicated that it will engage with policymakers and legal experts to ensure that the concerns of the community are adequately addressed before the bill is enacted.
According to the association, the bill's tightened reporting requirements and the proposed ceiling on foreign contributions could disproportionately burden minority‑run NGOs and educational institutions in Goa. It contends that the measures do not differentiate between genuine charitable work and activities that might pose security risks, thereby affecting legitimate religious and social work.
The Catholic Association has called on the state and central governments to revisit the draft, seeking clearer guidelines that protect the financial autonomy of minority institutions while addressing the government's objectives. It also indicated that it will engage with policymakers and legal experts to ensure that the concerns of the community are adequately addressed before the bill is enacted.