India, Aug. 11 -- The government is working to build consensus on referring the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC), as opposition parties, church groups and civil society organisations push back against provisions they call draconian.

Among the key concerns is the plan to empower a "designated authority" to take over, manage or sell assets built with foreign funds by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whose licences are cancelled, suspended or not renewed.

The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 and still before Parliament, would also extend liability from an NGO's direct managers to its directors and trustees. It cuts the maximum jail term for violat...