The raging row over USAID funding to India for ‘voter turnout’ has kicked up a political storm, with Congress and BJP taking turns to potshots at each other over the ‘beneficiaries’. Congress called it another ‘jumla’ to mislead and misguide the nation while BJP has snapped back, accusing the former of colluding with foreign forces to conspire against country.
The fresh bickering broke out this morning, with Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh sharing Finance Ministry’s annual report for 2023-24 and stated that the contentious USAID (US Agency for International Development) scheme was engaged in seven projects and this was being done in collaboration with the government.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya was quick to hit back and called it a desperation of Congress and its ecosystem to deflect from the controversial USAID funding.
Breaking down the specifics of funding, he elaborated, “the USAID projects in question are official government-to-government partnerships, transparently executed as Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). The Centre simply channels these funds to states for development, which is well within the framework of cooperative federalism.”
He also said that the projects cited in Finance Ministry’s 2023-24 report, shared by Jairam Ramesh, were started way back in 2010-11 and the same can be corroborated from the 2014-15 report.
Early this morning, Congress communications-in-charge Jairam Ramesh claimed that USAID is currently implementing seven projects in the country with combined budget of $750 million.
"Not a single of these projects has to do with voter turnout. All of them are with and through the Union Government," Ramesh said.
Replying to the charge, Amit Malviya took to X and asked, “Why is Congress defending covert interference by foreign donors and organizations linked to George Soros, which seek to destabilize our democracy under the guise of philanthropy?
Further, in a strong-worded statement, he said, “India’s sovereignty is not up for sale. India’s governance will not be dictated by foreign agents masquerading as benefactors.”
The controversy over $21 million grant to India erupted after Elon Musk-led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) claimed that it had cancelled the grant to India to boost "voter turnout", a claim seconded by US President Donald Trump on multiple occasions.
73rd B.N. Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship begins, CM lauds Police's role
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today lauded the role of Tripura Police in carrying out various social activities, apart from significantly improving the state's law and order situation.
Tripura to create, fill up 333 posts in various departments
The Tripura Government has announced plans to create and fill up 333 posts across multiple state departments. The decision was taken during a recent cabinet meeting and was revealed by Cabinet Spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury at a press conference on Monday.
Explosions near Russian Consulate in France have signs of terrorist attack: Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday stated that explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in France's Marseilles resemble a terrorist attack.
Air Force Base in Bangladesh attacked, several injured
In a major incident of lawlessness that is currently prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, several miscreants launched an ambush attack on an Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar on the southeast coast of the country.
Indian tech industry to hit $300 bn revenue in FY26, workforce to reach 5.8 mn in FY25
The Indian tech industry is projected to reach $300 billion revenue in FY26, a Nasscom report said on Monday, adding that in the current fiscal (estimated), the industry will add at least 126,000 net new employees, taking the total workforce to 5.8 million.
Telangana tunnel collapse: L&T teams with advanced equipment join rescue operation
Two teams of construction major Larsen & Toubro with advanced equipment on Monday joined the operation to rescue eight trapped workers from an under-construction tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on February 22 in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
Right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi at Global Investors Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Global Investors Summit here highlighting investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh and urging investors to tap available potential in the state.
Govt backs India Inc. bid to become major exporter of power equipment
India is on the path to becoming a major exporter of power equipment, with global players showing strong interest in the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal has said.