New Delhi, 23 February (HS): The US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded seven projects worth approximately USD 750 million in 2023-24 in partnership with the Indian government. The agency has made an obligation of USD 97 million for these projects.

The funding was not intended to enhance voter turnout but to projects related to agriculture, food security, water, sanitation, hygiene, renewable energy, disaster management, and health. The Department of Economic Affairs under the Finance Ministry shared the details of these projects. USAID has provided economic assistance to India over 17 billion since 1951, with over 555 projects. The controversy arose after the Department of Government Efficiency claimed that USAID had cancelled a USD 21 million grant to boost voter turnout.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar