'Proposed ordinance draconian'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 16. The minority institutions working in the social development sector fear that the contemplated replacement of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by the Home Ministry will target them in the wake of the September 11 strikes on the United States.

Apparently, the Government is thinking of replacing the FCRA with an ordinance on Foreign Contribution (Management and Control). The Muslim and Christian institutions working in the education and health sectors may be specially targeted by drumming up the fear of inflow of funds from terrorist organisations.

Already, some NGOs and minority organisations have protested and today the All-India Christian Council openly questioned the motives of the Government and the dominant ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party, and the larger Sangh Parivar. Several Ministers and others have talked about foreign funds in a manner that suggests some sinister activity. There has also been talk of funds flowing in for setting up `madrasas.'

The All-India Christian Council warned that stopping of funds for the church programmes would hit the poorest, tribals and the Dalits the hardest. A statement by the council called upon the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, not to give his assent to any such ordinance because such draconian laws would injure the long- term interests of the poor and marginalised sections of society, especially in the areas where State-run facilities did not reach.

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