Shillong, July 6: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and urged the Centre to consider the state’s concerns over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), stating that the changes could impact Christian institutions engaged in public service.
Sangma was accompanied by a delegation comprising representatives of the Presbyterian Church of India, the North East India Christian Council, the Archdiocese of Shillong and the Garo Baptist Convention.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed concerns over certain provisions of the proposed FCRA changes and their potential impact on institutions involved in education, healthcare, social welfare and community development across Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister requested the Union government to take into account the state’s unique circumstances while considering amendments to the legislation and sought safeguards to ensure that organisations providing public services are able to continue their work without disruption.
“Any changes to the law should not disrupt the functioning of genuine institutions engaged in public service,” Sangma said, noting that Christian organisations manage an extensive network of schools, colleges, hospitals and community service programmes, particularly in rural and remote areas of the state.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Sangma said the delegation had sought the Union government’s consideration in protecting the smooth functioning of these institutions and safeguarding the interests of the people of Meghalaya.
He also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for what he described as “a patient hearing” and reaffirmed that the Meghalaya government remains committed to protecting the interests of the state’s people and institutions.
According to official estimates, Christians constitute around 74.6 per cent of Meghalaya’s population, with approximately 2.21 million people identifying as Christians, making the state one of India’s three Christian-majority states.
