CBI searches at Oxfam India over alleged foreign funding violations

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, April 20, 2023: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Oxfam India and its office-bearers for allegedly violating the provisions of India’s foreign funding rules and carried out searches at the offices of the non-governmental organisation, officials said on Wednesday.

 

According to the complaint filed with the agency by the Home Ministry, Oxfam India received around ₹ 1.5 crore directly into its Foreign Contribution Utilisation account instead of the designated bank account between 2013 and 2016. The complaint also alleged that Oxfam India routed ₹ 12.71 lakh to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in the financial year 2019-20 in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 rules.

The CBI said that it acted on a complaint from the Home Ministry, which had suspended Oxfam India’s FCRA licence in January last year.

"Email communication found during IT (income tax) survey by the CBDT shows that Oxfam India has been planning to pressure Indian government for renewal of FCRA through foreign governments and foreign institutions," it alleged.

"The Oxfam India has the reach and influence to request multilateral foreign organisations to intervene on its behalf with the Government of India," it alleged.

The complaint also mentioned that Oxfam India was planning to bypass the FCRA by transferring funds to other associations or for-profit consultancy firms. The CBI said that it had seized several emails from Oxfam India’s office during a search operation last year.

Oxfam India is a part of the global confederation of Oxfam, which works on issues such as poverty, inequality, gender justice and climate change. The non-governmental organisation has denied any wrongdoing and said that it was cooperating with the authorities.

“Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021. We have filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew our FCRA registration. The High Court has asked the Union government to respond to our plea,” it said in a statement earlier this month.

The CBI case against Oxfam India comes at a time when several civil society organisations have faced scrutiny and action from the government over their foreign funding and activities. The government has said that it is acting against those who misuse foreign funds or violate the law, while the opposition has alleged harassment and curbs on dissent.