Mon Feb 24 06:43:57 UTC 2025: ## Congress Exposes BJP “Lies” on USAID Funding: Ministry Report
**New Delhi, February 24, 2025** – The Congress party has accused the BJP of spreading misinformation regarding USAID funding in India, citing the Union Finance Ministry’s annual report for 2023-24. The report reveals that USAID is currently implementing seven projects in India, totaling approximately $750 million, none of which are related to voter turnout.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the Finance Ministry’s report directly contradicts claims made by Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. He highlighted that the $750 million is allocated across projects focusing on agriculture, water sanitation, renewable energy, disaster management, and health. The report further specifies that $97 million (approximately ₹825 crore) was obligated during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
This rebuttal comes in response to recent allegations by US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who claimed a $21 million USAID grant to India was intended to influence voter turnout. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar previously expressed concern over these claims, stating the government was investigating the matter.
The Congress has accused the BJP of engaging in anti-national activities by amplifying these unsubstantiated claims from the US, demanding answers from Prime Minister Modi and Minister Jaishankar regarding their silence on the repeated accusations from Trump and Musk. The BJP, in turn, has rejected the allegations and accused the Congress of colluding with foreign forces to undermine India.
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