NGO Oxfam India Under The Scanner For Alleged Irregularities In Foreign Funding

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opened a case against Oxfam India and its office-bearers for violating foreign funding regulations, and have conducted searches at the offices of the non-governmental organisation (NGO).

A complaint filed by the Home Ministry claims that between 2013 and 2016, Oxfam India received approximately Rs 1.5 crore directly into its Foreign Contribution Utilisation account instead of the designated bank account.

The complaint also alleges that Oxfam India violated the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, rules by routing Rs 12.71 lakh to the Centre for Policy Research in the financial year 2019-20.

The CBI acted on Home Ministry's complaint.

Oxfam India's FCRA licence was suspended by the Home Ministry in January 2022.

According to the CBI, email communication discovered during an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes indicates that Oxfam India was intending to pressure the Indian government for FCRA renewal with the help of foreign entities.

The CBI said the NGO possesses "the reach and influence to request multilateral foreign organisations to intervene on its behalf with the Government of India."

Oxfam India was also accused of planning to avoid FCRA regulations via money transfer to other associations or profit-making consultancy firms.

The CBI had seized emails from the Oxfam India office during a search operation in the previous year.

Oxfam India, a part of the global Oxfam confederation, focuses on issues like poverty, inequality, gender justice, and climate change.

Denying any wrongdoing, the organisation has said it is cooperating with the authorities.

The NGO says they have filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the government's decision to not renew their FCRA registration.

"The High Court has asked the Union government to respond to our plea,” the NGO said earlier this month.