FCRA should not hinder autonomy of charities: Tattil

KOCHI: Mar Raphael Thattil, the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, stated that the new amendments proposed by the central govt to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) should be implemented in a manner that does not hinder the operational autonomy of transparent charitable and educational institutions. The regulations must not be intended to destroy legally operating organizations or the charitable activities of Christian churches. Aligning with the opinions already expressed by various Christian church heads on this matter, Mar Thattil demanded that the govt be prepared to resolve the concerns raised regarding the said legislative amendment. "It is a fact pointed out by those in governance themselves that the charitable works carried out by Christian churches for the upliftment of the marginalized are decisive in the history of India's social development. Destitute homes, palliative care centres, rehabilitation centres for the differently abled, care centres for AIDS patients, and free dialysis units run by the Church provide relief to millions of people regardless of caste or religion," Thattil said in a statement.It added that along with the help of local benefactors, the Church is able to ensure excellent health services and quality education even in remote villages by utilising foreign funds. The major archbishop added that obstructing such services, which are conducted by following all legal norms to bring those pushed to the fringes of society into the mainstream, is an injustice toward the poor and the marginalized. He said that the move to take stringent measures, such as cancelling licences and seizing assets based on minor delays in submitting reports or technical errors in auditing, is suspicious. Mar Thattil stated that rather than placing the services of voluntary organizations and religious institutions under a shadow of doubt, there should be legislation that takes them into confidence. In the context of this matter coming up for discussion in Parliament on Wednesday, the Mar Thattil also requested that MPs from Kerala participate constructively in the debates, keeping the public good in mind.Meanwhile, KCBC vigilance commission, in an FB post, said that the FCRA, which came into effect in 2010, has transformed through various amendments over time into a tool that restricts the operational freedom of social service NGOs and religious organizations. Beyond overseeing the transactions of foreign contributions, these amendments have created endless possibilities and situations for the misuse of power, allowing the govt to easily take over charitable institutions that have been built over decades.