Christian Leaders Meet Defence Minister on Foreign Contribution Bill of 2006

Christian leaders met Defence Minister of the country expressing their dismay at the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2006, they alleged the bill restrict developmental initiatives of the voluntary sector including church related institutions.

Representatives from National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) met Mr.A.K. Antony, the senior Congress leader and Defence Minister in the UPA government at the centre at his office on Friday 3rd August 2007 and request him to reconsider certain clause in the bill.

The delegation highlighted the contradictions in the implementation of government policies since some provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2006 restrict developmental initiatives of the voluntary sector including church related institutions.

They claimed, "Instead of creating enabling environment as stated in the National Policy on Voluntary Sector, subjective and selective interpretation of the provisions of the FCR Bill 2006 has the potential to interfere with and curb the programmes and activities committed to the wellbeing of the Indian citizens".

The NCCI delegation which met the Defence Minister included Rev.Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, CNI Synod and Chairman, NCCI Commission on Polity and National Governance, Mrs. Sharada M. Rao, Vice President, NCCI, Bishop S.S. Singh of MCI, Delhi, Rev. Jayan Thomas of Mar Thoma Church, Delhi, Mr. Joselyn Martins, FCA, Mr. Sanjay Patra, FCA, and Mr. S. Raju, NCCI Delhi.

Many Christians fear that such bill can be misused easily and Christian organisations and institutions will be effected much hampering many initiatives taken by them.