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"The Government of India has withdrawn its request to the World Bank for financing the proposed Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project," a World Bank official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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Will give suitable answer on L&O situation in Karnataka during winter session: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that he will give a suitable response in the state legislature about the law and order situation in Karnataka, if the opposition raises the matter to target the government.
Opposition BJP has made it clear that the law and order situation will be among the main issues that it will raise during the winter session.
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
"I will give a suitable answer (in the Assembly), if they (opposition raise), as to how the law and order situation is in Karnataka and in BJP-ruled states. Also, how law and order was there when the BJP was in power in the state, and how it is now with figures," Parameshwara said in response to a question.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said he is not saying that there have been no incidents in the state, but it has to be told as to how the situation was there during the BJP's rule and how it is now.
Asked about how the government will defend notorious criminals and a terror suspect allegedly enjoying preferential treatment inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, the home minister said, "When the majority of the incidents took place, which government was there? All this will be informed in the Assembly when the issue is raised."
Admitting that such incidents have occurred under the current government's tenure too, he said, appropriate action has also been taken against those involved and the officials responsible. "But, old videos were circulated and it was projected as it took place now. I will explain each incident," he added.
To a question on Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of "multiple murders, rapes and burials" in the temple town of Dharmasthala, Parameshwara said, he would inform the factual position to the legislature, if raised in the House.
"SIT has submitted the report to the court. They have also submitted it to the government. If the issue is raised, we will inform the house. Factual position has to be told. What is there to hide?"
Asked about his meeting with senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi, amid leadership speculation in the state, Parameshwara said, some time the meeting with Jarkiholi might be on work-related matters as he holds a major PWD portfolio, while sometime it will be for casual political discussions.
"What is there to hide in it? We have met in the past too," he added.
