CBI to probe Oxfam India for violation of foreign funding norms

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended a CBI investigation against Oxfam India for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, sources said on Thursday.

The MHA’s actions came after the ministry noted that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020.

From emails, found during a survey carried out by the Income Tax Department revealed that Oxfam India was planning to circumvent the provision of the FCRA by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, said sources.

The Income Tax Dept survey also exposed Oxfam India as a probable instrument of foreign policy of foreign organisations and entities which have funded Oxfam India liberally over the years, said sources.

“Oxfam India which is registered to carry out social activities routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission,” the sources said.

The same is also reflected in the TDS (tax deducted at source) data of Oxfam India which shows a payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in the Financial Year 2019-20 under section 194J.

“Oxfam India received foreign contribution amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) directly into its FC utilization account instead of receiving foreign contribution in designated FCRA account,” added the sources.

Oxfam India was registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (FCRA, 2010) for undertaking “Social” activities and its registration certificate was valid upto December 31, 2021.