New Delhi: The Congress on Monday claimed that the Union Finance Ministry has "thoroughly exposed" the BJP's "lies" regarding USAID funding. Citing the ministry's annual report for 2023-24, the party asserted that the US agency is currently implementing seven projects in collaboration with the Government of India, none of which are related to voter turnout.

The BJP, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations and accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of working with foreign forces to weaken India.

USAID funding details
According to the Finance Ministry's latest annual report, USAID funded seven projects in 2023-24 with a total budget of USD 750 million. The Department of Economic Affairs, the nodal department for bilateral funding arrangements, provided details of these projects, confirming that no funds were allocated for increasing voter turnout. Instead, the funding was directed towards sectors such as agriculture, food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), renewable energy, disaster management, and health.

"For the financial year 2023-24, an obligation of a total of USD 97 million (about Rs 825 crore) has been made by USAID under the seven projects," the report stated.

Congress hits out at BJP
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took to X to criticise the BJP, stating, "None other than the Union Finance Ministry has thoroughly exposed the lies of the PM and his jhoot brigade, including his dapper External Affairs Minister."

He reiterated that all seven projects were implemented in partnership with the Union Government and had no connection to voter turnout.

Political row over USAID funding claims
The controversy erupted after the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claimed to have cancelled a USD 21 million grant to India for boosting voter turnout. Former US President Donald Trump also alleged that the Biden administration had allocated the same amount to India for this purpose.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, responding to the claims, termed the information "concerning" and stated that the government was investigating the matter. He emphasised that USAID was allowed in India "in good faith, to do good faith activities," but concerns had been raised about possible misuse of funds.

The Congress, in turn, accused the BJP of spreading "fake news from America" and demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar over the alleged silence when Trump and Musk were "repeatedly insulting" India.

With PTI inputs