By Munish Chandra Pandey: Trouble has mounted for Oxfam India as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will be probing the Rs 1.5 crore of foreign funding received by the NGO between 2013 and 2016.
The foreign funding was received in the violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) rules, said the CBI.
Oxfam India used to route funds of its foreign affiliates, such as Oxfam Australia, Oxfam Great Britain, in India to selected NGOs. It also exercised control over funds and projects, claimed CBI.
According to the CBI, for the renewal of FCRA, Oxfam India was planning to pressurise Indian Government through foreign governments and organisations. The investigative agencies have recovered an email communication that establishes the same.
The CBI booked Oxfam India and others over an alleged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) violation and carried out searches at its office in Delhi on Wednesday. In the search, the probe agency also recovered incriminating documents linked to Oxfam India in Delhi
The complaint by the home ministry, which is now part of the FIR, has alleged that though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration ceased, it planned to circumvent the law by taking other routes to channelise funds.
“Email communication found during IT (income tax) survey by the CBDT shows that Oxfam India has been planning to pressure Indian government for renewal of FCRA through foreign governments and foreign institutions,” it alleged.
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The complaint alleged that Oxfam India routed funds of its foreign affiliates such as Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain to certain NGOs and exercised control over the project.
Oxfam India is a part of the global confederation of Oxfam, which works on issues such as poverty, inequality, gender justice and climate change. The non-governmental organisation has denied any wrongdoing and said that it was cooperating with the authorities.
After the Home Ministry recommended a probe, Oxfam India said in a statement that it is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including FCRA returns, in a timely manner since its inception.
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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