The fine balance between oversight and overreach in governing CSOs: Dr. M S Sriram

In this month’s column for Business Standard, Dr. M S Sriram, Public Policy area, investigates the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign funds by Indian entities. In doing so, he raises important questions on proportionality, regulatory intent and institutional autonomy.

In ‘Lethal injection for a boil? Anxiety around FCRA amendment bill justifiable’, he writes that while oversight of foreign funding is both necessary and justified, the proposed provisions, particularly those enabling state vesting of assets, risk extending regulatory power beyond reasonable limits. He cautions that excessive control could undermine civil society organizations (CSOs) and their operations rather than strengthen accountability.