{"id":8140,"date":"2026-08-06T23:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/former-gpcc-president-amit-patkar-goa-forward-oppose-proposed-fcra-amendments-seek-protection-for-goas-charitable-institutions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T23:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:15:33","slug":"former-gpcc-president-amit-patkar-goa-forward-oppose-proposed-fcra-amendments-seek-protection-for-goas-charitable-institutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/mr\/former-gpcc-president-amit-patkar-goa-forward-oppose-proposed-fcra-amendments-seek-protection-for-goas-charitable-institutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Former GPCC President Amit Patkar, Goa Forward Oppose Proposed FCRA Amendments; Seek Protection for Goa’s Charitable Institutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Panaji, Aug. 6: Former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar and Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai have strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), expressing concern that the changes could adversely affect educational, healthcare, charitable and religious institutions that have served Goa for decades.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

In separate statements issued on Wednesday, both leaders urged the Union Government to reconsider the proposed amendments, arguing that while transparency and accountability in the use of foreign contributions are necessary, the proposed provisions could create uncertainty for institutions built through public generosity and charitable contributions.<\/p>\n

Amit Patkar said the proposed amendments have generated genuine apprehension among charitable organisations, educational institutions, hospitals and social service organisations across Goa. According to him, one of the most contentious provisions is the proposal that assets created through foreign contributions could, under certain circumstances relating to an organisation’s FCRA registration, come under the control of a government-designated authority.<\/p>\n

He said this has naturally raised concerns among institutions that have faithfully served Goans for generations.<\/p>\n

“Goa’s schools, colleges, hospitals, old-age homes, orphanages and several charitable institutions form an integral part of the state’s social fabric. These institutions have educated children, cared for the sick, supported the elderly and extended assistance to countless families without discrimination. Their contribution to Goa’s development cannot be ignored,” Patkar said.<\/p>\n

He maintained that the Government already possesses adequate legal powers to regulate foreign contributions, conduct financial audits, investigate irregularities and prosecute violations wherever required. Therefore, he argued, there is no need for provisions that create uncertainty about the ownership and future of institutions that have functioned transparently for decades.<\/p>\n

Patkar appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to immediately raise Goa’s concerns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seek safeguards for institutions that have played a significant role in the state’s educational, healthcare and social development.<\/p>\n

“The Chief Minister has a responsibility to protect Goa’s interests. He must ensure that the concerns of educational, healthcare and charitable institutions are effectively represented before the Union Government. Goa’s voice must be heard and the interests of institutions that have contributed immensely to the welfare of our people must be safeguarded,” he said.<\/p>\n

Patkar further observed that Goa has always been known for its strong tradition of community service and institution-building. Any legislation that creates uncertainty regarding the future of such institutions, he said, deserves careful reconsideration as protecting them is not merely about safeguarding assets but preserving Goa’s legacy of education, healthcare, charity and public service.<\/p>\n

Expressing similar concerns, Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai alleged that the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill extends far beyond regulating foreign donations and instead grants sweeping powers to the Government to take control of assets created by charitable and religious institutions.<\/p>\n

He warned that if enacted in its present form, the legislation could directly impact schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, old-age homes and several social service organisations in Goa that have served generations of people irrespective of religion or community.<\/p>\n

Sardesai argued that the existing legal framework already empowers the Government to audit organisations, investigate financial irregularities and prosecute violations wherever they occur. Granting additional powers to assume control over institutions built through charitable contributions, he said, is neither necessary nor justified.<\/p>\n

“Goa’s community-led institutions have strengthened education, healthcare and social welfare for decades. Weakening these institutions would weaken Goa itself,” Sardesai said.<\/p>\n

While reiterating that the Goa Forward Party supports transparency and accountability in the functioning of charitable organisations, he said the party firmly opposes any legislation that concentrates excessive authority in the hands of the Government and undermines independent institutions that have faithfully served society.<\/p>\n

Sardesai also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take note of the concerns being expressed by affected institutions and citizens and ensure that the proposed amendments adequately safeguard the interests of organisations that have contributed significantly to Goa’s social, educational and humanitarian development.<\/p>\n

Both Patkar and Sardesai maintained that while financial accountability must remain non-negotiable, regulatory reforms should not come at the cost of creating uncertainty for institutions that have become pillars of public service and welfare in Goa.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former GPCC President Amit Patkar and Goa Forward Party President Vijay Sardesai have strongly opposed proposed FCRA amendments, fearing adverse effects on Goa’s educational, healthcare, charitable, and religious institutions that have served Goa for decades.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8139,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main-story"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t