The central government has seriously accused Oxfam India of running negative and malicious propaganda against Assam’s traditional tea industry and using the organization as a potential tool of foreign policy. In an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court, the Home Ministry said investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) have revealed clear violations of the Foreign Contribution Control Act (FCRA). The court was informed that the central government had rejected the FCRA registration renewal application of the company as it was involved in activities against the economic interest of the country.
The home ministry told the court that Oxfam India had caused irreparable damage to the Indian tea sector by making biased comments and negative campaigns in the media against Assam’s tea industry. The ministry suspects, the main motive of the attack was to create anger and unexpected tension against the state government. Additionally, although the organization was only registered to implement social programs, it funded another NGO to build public opinion against the coal industry in collaboration with local trade unions. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, such activities are inconsistent with the declared objectives of the FCRA and hinder the economic progress of the country. The NGO has also been accused of exerting international pressure on the Indian government by maintaining regular contact with foreign governments and multinational corporations.
Oxfam India, meanwhile, has strongly denied all allegations made by the central government and supported its case in court. Contacting foreign embassies or diplomatic missions, the agency said foreign donor agencies only provide grants for specific social purposes. Only the answers to the questions regarding the use and status of that grant were communicated to the Indian diplomatic mission on their request, so it should be considered as a normal process. Similarly, in the context of Assam’s tea industry, the association clarified that they had conducted a peaceful campaign in 2019 to raise the minimum wage of tea workers based on a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. As a result of this campaign, the association claimed that the wages of tea workers will increase in 2022. Oxfam India denied allegations that the coal industry was funding the Environics Trust, saying the trust had sought funds but no funds had been transferred to them.
FCRA registrations of around 5,932 NGOs across the country, including Oxfam India, expired on January 1, Oxfam India petitioned the Delhi High Court after the Union Home Ministry rejected its plea to renew its registration. Earlier, in November 2022, the court had ordered the central government to take a final decision on the matter within six weeks, prompting the home ministry to formally reject the plea in December. According to the government, disciplinary action was taken for irregularities in the use of UNICEF funds, administrative expenses exceeding 20 percent and ring agencies exceeding 20 percent without approval.
As this complicated legal battle is currently going on, counsel for the central government told the court that Oxfam India’s application for fresh FCRA registration is currently under active consideration by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, the government had agreed to examine fresh applications without prejudice. The entire matter is currently pending before the Delhi High Court and the legal and social circles of the country are closely watching the next hearing.
