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USAID proposes $145.57 million for India

USAID, which gives developmental aid to poor countries proposes $277 million assistance to South Asian countries, including $145.57 million for India for the coming financial year beginning October this year.

Of the remaining $131.23 million, Bangladesh is proposed to receive the highest amount of $101.925 million, followed by $23.05 million for Nepal and $6.3 million for Sri Lanka.

Giving the breakup of projects to be undertaken in India, USAID said it proposed to give $80.02 million under PL 480 for distributing food aid to women, children and the disadvantaged. $32.71 million are proposed to be given as development assistance and $25.84 million for child survival.

"USAID's investments in the development partnership with India have paid off by creating a rich legacy of achievement and a strong foundation for further economic development. With an estimated 3.7 million infections, India is second only to South Africa in number of persons infected and HIV/AIDS is becoming a serious economic, political and public health issue," USAID said.

USAID funds HIV programmes in Madras and Maharashtra focussing on prevention in high-risk groups, children affected by AIDS and AIDS in the workplace.

"USAID plans to expand HIV prevention programmes to rural areas, and increase support for condom social marketing. As resources permit, HIV/AIDS programmes will be extended to Pondicherry and Goa," it said.

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