World Bank says it 'dropped' Rs 2,000 crore loan proposal for Amaravati project
Amaravati (AP), Jul 19: The World Bank Friday said it 'dropped' the USD 300-million loan proposal for the Amaravati development project as the central government withdrew the financing request, triggering a blame game between the ruling YSRC and opposition TDP in Andhra Pradesh.
"The Government of India has withdrawn its request to the World Bank for financing the proposed Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project," a World Bank official said in an email response.
The bank's board of executive directors has been informed that the proposed project is no longer under preparation following the government's decision, the official added.
"The World Bank is not in a position to comment on the nature of internal consultations conducted by the Government of India," he said, when asked for the reason behind the Centre's decision.
Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Commissioner Lakshmi Narasimham told PTI they received "no communication" from the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), under the Union Ministry of Finance, on why the Centre withdrew the loan request.
On Thursday, the World Bank posted on its official website that funding proposal for the Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project has been "dropped".
Sources said it had apparently taken into consideration widespread complaints lodged by farmers in the region on forcible take over of their fertile lands by the previous N Chandrababu Naidu government in the name of land pooling for capital development.
The Inspection Panel, constituted by the World Bank to look into the complains by farmers and non-governmental organisations in 2017, reportedly sought a deeper inspection of the ground situation as the alleged violation of environment and other laws were against the bank's policy for lending.
The World Bank recently wrote a letter to the state government in this regard.
The state, through the Department of Economic Affairs, sought more time to consider the World Bank request as the new government of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had just set in.
The Centre reportedly did not want the international lender to conduct such a probe as it could "set an unwarranted precedent" and affect other major projects in the country.
The same was communicated to the state government, sources said.
Under these circumstances, the DEA withdrew the request for financing the Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project, government sources here said.
Chandrababu Naidu blamed the YSR Congress government for the World Bank's action.
"Was it not the YSRC that instigated farmers to lodge complaints with the World Bank? Is not the YSRC responsible for the World Bank going back (on the loan commitment)," he asked during an informal chat with reporters in the Assembly lobby.
The state would henceforth not get any funds for infrastructure projects, he said and alleged the ruling party did not want any development.
Government Chief Whip G Srikanth Reddy hit back, saying the World Bank rejected the loan only because of Naidu's atrocities.
"The Chandrababu Naidu government terrorised farmers, misused the provisions of land pooling and manipulated land records. Farmers complained to the World Bank about this," he pointed out.
The TDP leaders were, however, carrying out a false propaganda that the loan proposal was dropped because of YSRC's complaints, Reddy said.
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KKR hammer DC by eight wickets as Allen smashes unbeaten ton
New Delhi (PTI): Finn Allen smashed a 47-ball 100 not out as Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to register their fourth win on the trot in the IPL, here on Friday.
Opting to bowl, KKR spinners led by Sunil Narine strangled Delhi Capitals in the middle overs on a tacky surface to restrict them to 142/8.
Pathum Nissanka struck a quick 50 (29 balls; 5x4, 3x6) but Delhi lost momentum after his dismissal, scoring just 11 runs between the 12th and 16th overs as Anukul Roy (2/31), Kartik Tyagi (2/25) and Sunil Narine (1/17) applied the brakes.
Ashutosh Sharma’s late 28-ball 39 (3x4, 3x6), gave Delhi some respite.
In reply, Allen, who came in as Impact Sub for Varun Chakravarthy, smashed 10 sixes and five fours to make it a lopsided chase as KKR sealed the win in just 14.2 overs.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals 142/8 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 50, Ashutosh Sharma 39; Anukul Roy 2/31, Kartik Tyagi 2/25). Kolkata Knight Riders 147/2 in 14.2 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out).
