New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) Kerala state secretary M V Govindan on Friday alleged that the Union government was targeting minority communities through amendments to the FCRA and pursuing its ideological agenda.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Govindan said the amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) were likely to create widespread concern in Kerala.
"Through the amendments to the FCRA, the Union government is moving forward with an approach that appears aimed at targeting minority communities and advancing its ideological agenda. There is an attempt to impose restrictions on welfare activities and other charitable initiatives, creating apprehension among the people," he said.
The Union Home Ministry has tightened the rules and revised the compounding penalties for several violations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
According to a gazette notification issued this week, organisations that spend more than the permitted 20 per cent of foreign contributions on administrative expenses may face a penalty of Rs 1 lakh or 5 per cent of the excess expenditure, whichever is higher.
Govindan also opposed the Centre's reported move to include inhabited areas in the Western Ghats under the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification.
He said 31 villages would be brought entirely under the notification and 92 villages partially, affecting residential areas, schools, places of worship, agricultural land and plantations.
"If implemented, nearly 45 lakh people in Kerala will be affected. They will not be able to undertake construction activities in these regions and farming activities will face severe restrictions. All these villages should be excluded from the proposal," he said.
Govindan said the previous LDF government had requested the Centre to exempt these villages, but the demand was reportedly not being accepted.
He also criticised the Centre's reported decision to reduce food grain allocation to yellow ration card holders under the public distribution system.
He said Kerala had one of the most effective public distribution systems in the country and alleged that the proposed reduction would affect around five lakh families in the state.
"The state government has already written to the Union government on the issue. However, this cannot be resolved merely through correspondence. It requires serious intervention and public mobilisation. If the state government takes steps to mobilise people on this issue, we will extend our support," he said.
Govindan said the poorest sections of society, particularly in districts such as Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, depended heavily on the ration scheme.
"There is now an attempt to curtail, either fully or partially, the ration entitlement currently available to these families, including the allocation of 35 kg of food grains. Strong protests against such measures can and should be organised across the country. Merely writing letters will not be enough to change the Union government's position," he said.