|
VOICE OF
ELECTRICITY WORKERS
FOCUS ON
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Draft of the World
Bank’s country assistance strategy for India also emphasises strongly on the
need to reform the power sector. “... Bank financing support in this sector can
be provided on a selective basis, with differing types of support to states
contingent on where they are in the reform process, and the level of political
commitment to reform process” says the draft paper which is now under
circulation for eliciting comments.
On the loans
already sanctioned and partially disbursed, would not be disturbed if all the
commitments made in the relevant agreements are adhered to.
World Bank will
double loan sanctions to India to $2.9 billion per annum during 2005-08.
The scope for
funding has widened due to pro-poor policies promised in the Common Minimum
Programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The average
World Bank lending was in the range of $1.5 billion per annum during the past
two years.
Out of the $2.9
billion limit promised for the three year period, $2.15 billion would come
through IBRD at commercial rates while the remaining $750 million would be
routed through the IDA in the form of concessional lending.
The focus on the
Bank during this three-year period would be on infrastructure human development
and rural livelihoods.
According to the
Bank’s estimates, States would require $500 million to $900 million every year,
primarily for funding infrastructure and social sector projects.
Courtesy: Business Standard
| 
