Home ministry recommends CBI probe against Oxfam India for FCRA violations

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation against Oxfam India, an NGO, for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, sources said on Thursday.

The MHA’s actions came after the ministry noted that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020, coming into force, which prohibits such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020.

It is learnt that Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010. From emails, found during the IT survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), it is revealed that Oxfam India was planning to circumvent the provision of the FCRA, 2010, by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, said sources.

The IT survey by the CBDT also exposed Oxfam India as a probable instrument of the foreign policy of foreign organisations and entities which have funded Oxfam India liberally over the years, said sources. “Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out social activities, routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission”, the sources said.

The same is also reflected in the TDS data of Oxfam India which shows a payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in the Financial Year 2019-20 under section 194J. “Oxfam India received foreign contribution amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) directly into its FC utilisation account instead of receiving foreign contribution in designated FCRA account”, added the sources.

Oxfam India was registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (FCRA, 2010) for undertaking ‘social activities’ and its registration certificate was valid up to December 31, 2021. (ANI)