Centre orders CBI probe against Oxfam India over FCRA violation

Almost seven months after the Income Tax department carried out a survey of the offices of NGO Oxfam India and think-tank Centre for Policy Research, the Union government on Thursday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by the former, according to two officials familiar with the development who asked not to be named. Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of FCRA, 2010.” The officer added: “Through emails found during the I-T survey, it was revealed that the Oxfam India was planning to circumvent provision of FCRA, 2010 by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route.” In November 2020, the home ministry tightened the FCRA rules, saying that organisations which may not be directly linked to a political party but engage in political action like bandhs, hartal or rasta rook will be considered of political nature if they participate in active politics or party politics. The second officer said Oxfam India received foreign funds worth ₹1.50 crore directly into its “foreign contribution utilisation account instead of receiving foreign contribution in the designated FCRA account”. In a statement later in the day, Oxfam India said: “Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021.” It added: “In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in public and national interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path.” Yamini Aiyar, president and chief executive of CPR, said : “We have no intimation of any CBI probe, so I won’t be able to comment yet.” In March, the home ministry suspended the FCRA licence of CPR.