Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, said the NGO after the CBI inquiry was recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 6, 2023 23:58 IST
Oxfam India’s foreign funding was blocked in 2021. (Photo: Reuters)
By Munish Chandra Pandey: Hours after the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against Oxfam India, the NGO issued a statement, saying it was fully compliant with Indian laws.
“Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception,” said Oxfam India.
The organisation further said, “Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government 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.”
A probe was recommended by the MHA against Oxfam India, part of a global consortium of NGOs under the Oxfam umbrella, over alleged violation of foreign funding norms, a source told India Today.
Oxfam India allegedly continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even when the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act 2020 was in force, which prohibits such transfers. It allegedly transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.
Oxfam India’s foreign funding was blocked when the home ministry refused to renew its FCRA licence in 2021. The licence was cancelled citing violation of foreign funding norms.
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