A day after the Home Ministry revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of Oxfam India, the group issued a statement on Sunday, 2 January, which said that the decision to refuse the renewal of the licence would hurt its funding from abroad, which it needed to continue humanitarian and social work in 16 states.
This, the organisation pointed out includes:
Setting up of oxygen plants
Providing lifesaving medical and diagnostic equipment such as oxygen cylinders and ventilators
Delivery of food to the most vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Oxfam India, on Monday, also tweeted, "We have been working in public interest with the government, communities, and frontline workers for decades. This decision by the MHA will severely hamper these collaborations, through which we were providing relief to those who needed it the most during times of crisis."
Over the years, our work has always been in public interest and guided by the principle of creating lasting solutions to address the injustice of poverty, to leave no one behind, to end discrimination, and create a free and just society.Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India
The statement added, "The MHA’s refusal to renew FCRA registration will not reduce our commitment to serve vulnerable communities and uphold values enshrined in the Indian constitution. We will urge the MHA to lift the funding restrictions, so that we can continue our humanitarian efforts."
Detailing their COVID-19 response, the organisation wrote in their statement:
"Since March 2020, Oxfam India was at the forefront whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon NGOs and civil society to join the fight against COVID-19 by helping government to strengthen health services and accelerate pace of vaccination drive. The Supreme Court also acknowledged the contribution of NGOs in providing relief during the pandemic."
Read their full statement here.
The FCRA licences of more than 6,000 NGOs and other organisations expired overnight, the Home Ministry had stated on the morning of Saturday, 1 January.
This announcement comes a few days after the MHA refused to renew the FCRA licence of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.
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