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Australia to provide $20.5 million aid to India

Australia will provide India aid worth $20.5 million to address the country's development needs through a strategically targeted programme in the fields of education, health, water and sanitation.

"The focus will be on the north-eastern states, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. The aid will help in improving the capacity of local authorities to provide clean water and sanitation to hundreds of thousands of people in Bangalore, Shillong and Gangtok," Autralia's Treasurer Peter Costello said while announcing the Budget for 2000-2001.

The Budget also contains funding approval for the construction of a new chancery in New Delhi at a cost of $16.8 million, which will be constructed in the existing compound in Chanakyapuri, in Delhi, to increase accommodation from 3,300 square metres to 4,000 square metres, he said.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and is scheduled for completion in late 2003, Costello added.

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