Opposition members of JPC on FCRA Bill seek longer window for public comments
Ten opposition members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, have urged the panel’s chairperson and BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal to postpone its next meeting, scheduled for October 12, 2026, by at least four weeks to enable a longer period for public consultation on the draft legislation.
Call for extended consultation and scrutiny
In a letter dated September 29, the MPs argued that the proposed amendments carry wide-ranging implications and require more time for comprehensive study by members, as well as a meaningful opportunity for public and stakeholder input. They requested that the window for receiving comments, suggestions and representations remain open for a minimum of four weeks, allowing organisations, experts and citizens to examine the provisions and submit their views.
The signatories added that extending the consultation period would also give committee members sufficient time to review the representations before formal deliberations on the Bill begin.
Who signed the letter
The communication was signed by A. Raja and P. Wilson of the DMK; Congress MPs Christopher Manickam, Hamdullah Sayeed, Viriato Fernandes and Anto Antony; Samajwadi Party members Javed Ali Khan and Zia Ur Rehman Barq; Kalyan Banerjee of the MAITC; and James P.K. Sangma of the NPP.
Briefings and stakeholder interactions
The request for postponement came on a day the JPC held its second sitting on the Bill. Members received a clause-by-clause briefing from officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice. The committee also heard from domain experts and stakeholders, including representatives of the State Bank of India, law officers led by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, and lawyers from AZB & Partners and T. Nair Chambers.
Reporting timeline
Under its current mandate, the JPC is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament.
What’s next
The committee is yet to indicate whether it will defer the October 12 meeting or extend the consultation timeline in response to the opposition members’ request. An extended window would allow additional time for public submissions and for the panel to weigh those inputs before finalising its report.
