Center asks CBI to probe Oxfam India for alleged violation of Foreign Funds Act
New Delhi: The Central Government has asked the CBI to investigate Oxfam India for alleged violations of the Foreign Funds Act. Sources said that Oxfam India transferred foreign contributions to various organizations even after the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 came into force. Whereas such transfer is prohibited under the Act. The amended Act came into force on September 29, 2020.
According to sources, several e-mails were found in a survey conducted by the Income Tax Department. They learned that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent the provisions of the FCRA by channeling funds to other FCRA-registered organizations or through the for-profit consultancy route. The survey “exposed” Oxfam India as a potential tool of foreign policy for foreign organisations. These organizations have been funding the organization liberally over the years.
Sources said that Oxfam India, registered for social activities, allegedly sent funds to the Center for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission. He said that following these findings, the Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended a CBI inquiry into the working of Oxfam India. This is also clear from the TDS data of Oxfam India. The data shows a payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the Center for Policy Research in the 2019-20 financial year under section 194J.