RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2666
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018
DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
2666. PROF. M. V. RAJEEV GOWDA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the quantum of funds released to India’s neighbouring countries in South Asia as developmental assistance since 2014, year-wise and nation-wise;
(b) whether there has been a decline in allocation of funds to aforementioned nations from Budget Estimates of 2017-18 to Revised Estimates of 2017-18;
(c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the status of ongoing projects in neighbouring South Asian nations including the number of projects completed since 2014, nation-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Quantum of development assistance funds for India’s neighbouring countries in South Asia for the years 2014-15, 2015-16 and for 2017-18 (Budget Estimates and Revised Estimates) are as per
Annexure-A.
(b) to (c) Yes. Government undertakes a detailed and careful assessment of development assistance requirements for various countries after undertaking a realistic spending assessment based on project implementation cycles, local conditions and physical progress
for on-going projects, schemes and programmes, so as to suitably allocate funds within the overall Budget Estimates (BE) and Revised Estimates (RE) budgetary ceilings. This exercise is done with an aim to ensure that ongoing projects, schemes, programmes and
commitments have requisite funds without adversely impacting Government’s international commitments. Reduced budgetary allocations in the FY 2017-18 in case of some countries reflect reduced financial requirements of GoI and are as per the requirements projected
by respective Project authorities based on actual need. Government gives utmost priority to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and in this context it is committed to provide funds for projects in neighbouring countries as per relevant commitments and requirements.
(d) Details of ongoing major projects and projects completed since 2014 in neighbouring South Asian countries as per information available are as follows:
|
Sl No
|
Country
|
No. of ongoing projects
|
No. of projects completed since 2014
|
|
1.
|
Afghanistan
|
12
|
7
|
|
2.
|
Bangladesh
|
45
|
29
|
|
3.
|
Bhutan
|
21
|
62
|
|
4.
|
Maldives
|
3
|
3
|
|
5.
|
Nepal
|
8
|
7
|
|
6.
|
Sri Lanka
|
21
|
13
|
In addition to the above, there are various ongoing and completed Small Development Projects (SDPs) in South Asian Countries.
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