Seven USAID-funded projects consisting of $750 million will be utilized in the budget year 2023-24 according to Finance Ministry annual reports. The USAID works with the government of India to execute seven projects totaling $750 million (approximately) through 2023-24 funding according to the Finance Ministry annual report for this fiscal year.
In financial year 2023-24 USAID allocated a total fund of $97 million (about Rs 825 crore) through its seven project initiatives according to recent reports.
The Department of Economic Affairs through its Finance Ministry role as bilateral funding nodal department released comprehensive information about funded projects during 2023-24.
Voter turnout received no financial support during 2023-24 as infrastructure programs for food security and agriculture, water infrastructure, renewable energy projects, disaster preparedness and health efforts received funding.
The program received funding to support sustainable forests with climate adaptation measures alongside initiatives for energy efficiency technology development and commercialization and innovation.
USAID serves as the main administrator for US development aid to India since 1951. The economic assistance program of USAID has disbursed more than $17 billion in funding to India for over 555 projects after its launch.
When Elon Musk led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) announced the termination of a $21 million grant for Indian voter turnout enhancement the political debate in India intensified.
Throughout his presidency Donald Trump asserted that the Joe Biden administration through USAID distributed $21 million Indian funds to increase voting participation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern regarding information that the Trump administration shared while his government investigates the matter on Saturday.
It was such an important high note in talks regarding the activities done or planned by USAID: “in good faith, to do good faith activities,” and then such suggestions are being made out of America that “there are more activities which are in bad faith,” noted Mr Jaishankar.
The Congress party on Sunday alleged that the BJP is into “anti-national work” simply by spreading “fake news from America”. It further demanded interrogations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Jaishankar as to why there is silence about how both Trump and Musk are “in fact insulting” India again and again.
“The BJP is a procession with liars and illiterates; $21 million which made them jump hasn’t even been reported as going to India-the $21 million in 2022 was not for ‘voter turnout’ in India, but for Bangladesh,” said Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh.
For more updates follow: Latest News on NEWZZY
