MARGAO
The Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) has demanded complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, saying it departs from democratic norms, constitutional principles and the spirit of lawful legislation.
In a memorandum to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bill, the CAG said it supported accountability, transparency and financial discipline in the utilisation of foreign contributions, and action against genuine misuse threatening national security.
“After careful consideration of the Amendment Bill, 2026, and in the light of our earlier submissions to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister, we make a single, firm demand: complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026,” CAG president Cyril Fernandes stated.
Fernandes said the Bill’s “core design” — permanent vesting of assets and institutional takeover by an extra-judicial ‘Designated Authority’, deletion of safeguards, near-immunity for officials and retrospective application — created constitutional infirmities, administrative overreach and disproportionate impact on minority-run educational, health and welfare institutions.
“These structural faults cannot be remedied by piecemeal amendments or safeguards; only complete withdrawal will restore the rule of law and preserve constitutional rights,” he said.
Citing constitutional infirmity, administrative overreach, retrospective confiscation, official immunity, deletion of safeguards and the impact on minority-run institutions, including Church-run institutions in Goa, the CAG urged the JPC to recommend withdrawal.
“We submit that withdrawal is the only constitutionally and legally sound course. The Bill’s central confiscatory mechanism and immunity provisions cannot be cured through amendments without undermining fundamental rights and the rule of law,” Fernandes said.
He said the CAG was ready to make oral submissions to the Committee on the practical and constitutional concerns.
“Our aim is constructive: to preserve national security while protecting constitutional freedoms and the vital social services minority institutions provide to communities in Goa and across India,” he added.
