Dubbing Oxfam India as a probable instrument of foreign policy of foreign organisations which have funded it liberally over the years, the Union Home Ministry on Thursday recommended a CBI probe against the entity for alleged forex violation under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
Earlier, a survey operation by the Income Tax Department had exposed its role as a likely instrument of foreign policy, sources said. The move comes after the MHA found that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after coming into force of the FCRA, 2020, which prohibits such transfers.
The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020. Oxfam India transferred funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010, sources said.
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, they said.
Oxfam India, which is registered to undertake “social” activities, allegedly routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission. The same is also reflected from the TDS data of the Oxfam India which shows payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in the financial year 2019-20 under section 194J, the sources said.
The registration certificate of Oxfam India was valid up to December 31, 2021.