Centre tells CBI to probe Oxfam for FCRA violations: Sources

The Centre has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe Oxfam India over violation of foreign funding norms, sources said.

Oxfam India, was registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (FCRA, 2010) for undertaking "Social" activities. Registration certificate was valid upto December 31 2021.

Sources also said that due to violations of the FCRA norms, the matter has been referred to the CBI.

Oxfam India continued to transfer Foreign Contribution to various entities even after coming into force of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 which prohibits such transfers. The amendment came in force on September 29, 2020. The Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010, the source told OneIndia.

From emails, found during the IT survey by the CBDT, it was revealed that Oxfam India was planning to circumvent provision of the FCRA, 2010 by routing funds to other FCRA -registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route.

IT survey by the CBDT also exposed the Oxfam India as a probable instrument of foreign policy of foreign organisations/ entities which have funded the Oxfam India liberally over the years, the source added.

Oxfam India which is registered to carry out social activities routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates/employees in the form of commission. The same is also reflected from the TDS data of the Oxfam India which shows payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in 2019-20 under section 194J.

Oxfam India received foreign contribution amounting to Rs. 1.50 crore approximately directly into its FC utilisation account instead of receiving foreign contribution in designated FCRA account, the source also added.

Oxfam's foreign funding was blocked when the Home Ministry refused to renew its FCRA licence in 2021. The licence was called while citing a violation of foreign funding norms.

About Oxfam:

On its website, Oxfam says, " wework to ensure that Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and Informal Sector Workers, especially women and girls have safe-violence free lives with freedom to speak their mind, equal opportunities to realise their rights, and a discrimination free future.