Home ministry recommends CBI probe against Oxfam India for FCRA violation

NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry on Thursday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against non-profit organisation Oxfam India for allegedly violating the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.

According to sources, the home ministry found that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after being registered under the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers after amendment of the law in 2020. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020, came into force on September 29, 2020.

During a survey by the income tax department's Central Board of Direct Taxes, multiple emails were found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent the provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to other registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, sources said.

They added the survey also "exposed" Oxfam India as a probable instrument of foreign policy of foreign organisations or entities, which have funded it liberally over the years.

Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out "social" activities, allegedly routed funds to Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission, the sources further said.

The same is also reflected from the TDS data of Oxfam India, which shows payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in 2019-20. Oxfam India received foreign contributions amounting to about Rs 1.5 crore directly into its foreign contribution utilisation account instead of receiving them in the designated FCRA account, sources said.

The income tax department conducted surveys against CPR and Oxfam India, besides a media foundation, in September as part of a probe related to alleged FCRA contravention in funds received by them.

Oxfam India was the second NGO against whom the home ministry has recommended a CBI probe within a month for alleged violation of the FCRA.

On March 20, the home ministry recommended a CBI inquiry against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by writer and human rights activist Harsh Mander.

It is to be noted that the registration of Oxfam India was valid up to December 31, 2021, after which it was not allowed to renew its registration.

Oxfam India's FCRA licence was suspended in January 2022, following which the NGO filed a revision petition with the home ministry.

All NGOs receiving foreign contributions have to mandatorily register with the home ministry under the FCRA.

According to Oxfam India website, the NGO has been in India since 1951.

(With inputs from agencies)
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