New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the alleged violations of provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 by Oxfam India. Oxfam India was registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA, 2010) for undertaking "social" activities. Its registration was valid up to December 31, 2021.
The initial inquiry has found that Oxfam India continues to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2020 which prohibits such transfers came into force. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020. Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.
During a survey carried out by the Income Tax department, multiple emails were found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, officials said.
"Oxfam India was planning to circumvent provisions of the FCRA, 2010 by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route," officials privy to the development said. IT survey by the CBDT also exposed Oxfam India as a probable instrument of the foreign policy of foreign organisations and entities which have funded Oxfam India liberally over the years.
Oxfam India which is registered to carry out social activities routes funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of a commission. "The same is also reflected from the TDS data of Oxfam India which shows payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in the FY 2019-20 under section 194J," officials said.
It was revealed that Oxfam India received a foreign contribution amounting to Rs 1.50 crore directly into its FC utilisation account instead of receiving foreign contributions in the designated FCRA account. The government earlier cancelled the FCRA registration of Oxfam India on December 31, 2021 on account of alleged FCRA violations.
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