CBI probe ordered against Oxfam India: Income tax survey found evidence of taking donations from abroad by breaking FCRA law

The Union Home Ministry has ordered a CBI inquiry against the NGO Oxfam India. Oxfam India is accused of violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act 2020 (FCRA). Oxfam continued to transfer donations from abroad to various organizations even after the FCRA came into force. While FCRA bans such money transfers. FCRA came into force on September 29, 2020.

foreign organizations gave money
Sources said that during a survey by the Income Tax Department, several e-mails were found which showed that Oxfam India used to receive donations from abroad and send money to other FCRA registered organisations. For this, it was allegedly planning to circumvent the provisions of FCRA through for-profit consultancy.

The survey revealed that Oxfam India has been funded by foreign organizations for many years. In this way, Oxfam became a vehicle for sending donations from abroad.

Oxfam is registered for social activities
Sources said that Oxfam India, registered for social activities, allegedly sent the money to the Center for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission. In view of this, the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended a CBI inquiry into the working of Oxfam India.

license not renewed
Oxfam India is a branch of Global NGO Oxfam. It works for the rights of tribals, Dalits, Muslims and women across the country. The home ministry had refused to renew the FCRA license of Oxfam India in December 2021, as the organization was misusing donations from abroad.

Payment also detected from TDS data
Oxfam India’s TDS data also revealed that Rs 12 lakh 71 thousand 188 was paid to CPR in the financial year 2019-20. Oxfam India received around 1.50 crore rupees from abroad but Oxfam India received this money directly in its FC usage account instead of its FCRA account.