Amidst a fierce political controversy over the alleged role of USAID in influencing Indian elections, the latest annual report by the Ministry of Finance has revealed that the agency has funded seven projects worth $ 750 million in 2023-24.
According to the annual report of the Finance Ministry for 2023-24, “Currently, the total budget of USD 750 million (almost) is being implemented by the USD in partnership with the Government of India.”
For the financial year 2023-24, a total responsibility of $ 97 million (about Rs 825 crore) has been made by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under seven projects.
Under the Finance Ministry, the Department of Economic Affairs, which is the nodal department for bilateral funding system, has also shared details of funded projects in 2023-24 in the report.
During the year, voters were not given any funds to increase voting but for projects related to agriculture and food security programs; Water, hygiene and hygiene (washing); Renewable energy; Disaster management and health.
In addition, it was said, the funds were committed to durable forests and climate adaptation programs and energy efficiency technology commercialization and innovation project.
The United States bilateral development assistance in India began in 1951 and was mainly administered through USAID. Since its onset, USAID has provided financial assistance of over $ 17 billion to India in various fields for more than 555 projects.
Following Elon Musk -led Dogge (government’s efficiency department), political disputes were instigated in the country earlier this month that it had canceled India a $ 21 million grant to promote ‘voter voting’.
US President Donald Trump also repeatedly claimed that under the previous administration, USAID had allocated $ 21 million to India for ‘voter voting’ led by USAID.
External Affairs Minister K Jaishankar said on Saturday that the information given by the Trump administration is ‘related’ and the government is looking at it.
Jaishankar said that USAID was allowed to “do goodwill, to perform goodwill activities” in India, and suggestions are being excluded from the US that ‘there are’ activities that are in bad faith ‘.
On the other hand, the Congress party on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in ‘anti-national work’ by spreading ‘fake news from America’ and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also have to answer when American President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are repeatedly ‘insulted’ India, so why is the government silent.
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