The Finance Ministry’s annual report for 2023-24 reveals that USAID is funding seven projects in India worth approximately $750 million. Of this amount, $97 million has been allocated for initiatives focusing on agriculture, food security, water sanitation, renewable energy, disaster management, and health, but no funds were designated for boosting voter turnout. USAID’s support to India, which began in 1951, totals over $17 billion across various sectors. Controversy arose when discussions about a supposedly canceled $21 million grant for voter turnout ignited political tensions, with the Congress party criticizing the BJP for spreading misinformation regarding the funding.
New Delhi:
The most recent annual report from the Finance Ministry indicates that USAID has funded seven projects totaling $750 million for the year 2023-24. “At present, there are seven projects with a combined budget of approximately $750 million being implemented by USAID in collaboration with the Indian government,” the Finance Ministry’s annual report for 2023-24 stated.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed a total of $97 million (roughly Rs 825 crore) for these seven projects, according to the report.
The Department of Economic Affairs within the Finance Ministry, which serves as the central authority for bilateral funding arrangements, also provided details about the projects funded in 2023-24 in the report.
During this time, no funding was allocated to enhance voter turnout; instead, funds were directed towards projects focusing on agriculture and food security, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), renewable energy, disaster management, and health initiatives.
The report noted that funding was dedicated to sustainable forestry and climate adaptation programs, as well as energy efficiency technology commercialization and innovation projects.
Bilateral development assistance from the US to India began in 1951 and is primarily managed through USAID. Since its inception, USAID has provided over $17 billion in economic assistance across various sectors for more than 555 projects in India.
Earlier this month, political controversy arose when the Elon Musk-led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) announced the cancellation of a $21 million grant to India aimed at increasing “voter turnout.”
Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that USAID, under the previous administration led by Joe Biden, allocated $21 million for ‘voter turnout’ initiatives in India.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on Saturday that the information released by the Trump administration is “concerning,” and the government is currently investigating the matter.
Mr. Jaishankar emphasized that USAID was permitted to operate in India “in good faith, to engage in activities of good faith,” and that there are suggestions emerging from the US implying “there are activities which are in bad faith.”
The Congress party accused the BJP on Sunday of engaging in “anti-national work” by disseminating “fake news from America.” The party demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Jaishankar explain the government’s silence in the face of repeated insults from President Trump and Elon Musk towards India.
“The BJP is a procession of liars and illiterates. The claim regarding the $21 million, which the BJP and its supporters were eagerly promoting, has been revealed to be false. The $21 million in 2022 was not allocated for ‘voter turnout’ in India, but for Bangladesh,” stated Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge.