Shillong: The Meghalaya Government will set up a dedicated FCRA Cell within the Home Department to assist organisations with applications and renewals under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Thursday. The move, to be undertaken in consultation with the Centre, is aimed at addressing FCRA-related difficulties locally and reducing the need for organisations to travel to Delhi.
Sangma said the state government has decided to establish the cell and will seek the Centre’s support in making the mechanism effective. “Meghalaya Government has decided that we will be forming a FCRA Cell within the home department,” he said.
Explaining the purpose of the proposed cell, Sangma said it would improve coordination with the Centre so that problems faced by organisations during applications and renewals could be addressed in Shillong. “This will be done in consultation with the central government,” he said, adding that the mechanism would help organisations deal with “different problems being faced by different organisations” in the FCRA process.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help organisations avoid travelling to distant locations for assistance.
“The purpose of this cell will be helpful in coordination with central government,” he said, so that issues relating to “renewals and application can be impressed right here in Shillong without having to travel to distant places like Delhi.”
Sangma said the state was also seeking the Centre’s cooperation in operationalising the mechanism. “Obviously in this coordination we are seeking the support of the Government of India,” he said.
He added that the issue had already been discussed with the Union Home Secretary and that a mechanism was being worked out for central officials to provide assistance. “This matter we have discussed with the home secretary,” Sangma said, adding that “the government of India officials will be there to support time to time” so that challenges faced by organisations could be examined.
“The government of Meghalaya will take the initiatives to form that cell, the FCRA Cell within the home department,” Sangma said, adding that arrangements would be made “in the state government in different locations which is necessary” to help organisations during the process of applying for or renewing their FCRA licences.
The proposed cell is expected to function as a facilitation and coordination mechanism between organisations in Meghalaya and the Centre, with the state government seeking to make FCRA-related assistance more accessible within the state.
