FCRA amendments: Syro-Malabar Church slams attempts to distort protests

Kochi: Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson Fr Tom Olikkarott said that there are attempts to misconstrue the protests of the Christian communities against the proposed FCRA amendment bill by linking it to accounts. In a video posted through the official handles of the Church, he said that even as per the 2010 FCRA, there was strict monitoring of accounts. "Before Dec 31, annual returns have to be filed every year by all voluntary organizations that accept foreign contributions. An official audit report by a chartered accountant, and the accounts approved by him along with a list of office-bearers also needs to be submitted," he said. Fr Olikkarott added that if any errors are found in these accounts, the FCRA licence stands to be cancelled. He said that the Church receives foreign contributions primarily from priests who work abroad and faithful residing abroad. All these contributions are received through a State Bank of India's Delhi branch account as per the 2010 Act, he added. The money is spent through accounts alone as well, Fr Olikkarott explained. There is already such a strong monitoring system, but some lie factories are spreading insinuations that the objections are because of seeking records of accounts. He said that there is a clear political bad intention behind such reports. He said that when a serious issue like constitutional violations behind the move is addressed, such false narratives are created to neutralise the objections and silence the Church.