The Union home ministry on Thursday recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged violation of FCRA provisions by Oxfam India, one of the largest NGOs working on food, shelter and education for vulnerable groups.
Oxfam India said in a statement on Thursday night that it was fully compliant with Indian laws and had filed all statutory compliances, including FCRA returns, in a timely manner since its inception.
The recommendation for a CBI probe comes over a year after the ministry decided not to renew Oxfam’s registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. Such registration is mandatory to receive foreign funds.
Sources in the ministry said Oxfam India was registered under the FCRA for undertaking social activities, and its registration was valid up to December 31, 2021. “During this time, the MHA found several violations, following which the matter has beenreferred to the CBI for legalaction,” said a ministry official.
“The MHA found that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after coming under the ambit of FCRA 2020, which prohibits such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020, and Oxfam India transferred contributions to other NGOs violating provisions of FCRA 2010,” the official said.
Oxfam India is the second NGO against which the home ministry has recommended a CBI probe within a month for the alleged violation of the FCRA.
On March 20, the home ministry recommended a CBI inquiry against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by activist Harsh Mander.
Aman Biradari was one of the NGOs to which Oxfam India transferred foreign contributions, PTI quoted sources as saying.
In September last year, the income tax department had conducted searches at Oxfam’s Delhi office.
The emails found during the IT searches revealed that Oxfam India was planning to route funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, the official claimed. This newspaper could not corroborate the claim with Oxfam.
“Oxfam India received foreign contributions amounting to around Rs 1.50 crore directly into its foreign contribution utilisation account, instead of receiving foreign contributions in designated FCRA accounts as mandated through the 2020 amendment of the Act,” the official said.
In its statement on Thursday, Oxfam India said it “has been cooperating with all govt agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021.
“We have filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew our FCRA registration. The high court has asked the Union government to respond to our plea.
“In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in public and national interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path”.
Additional reporting by PTI
