USAID didn't receive funding of USD21 million for voter turnout in India: Embassy to MEA
New Delhi (PTI): The US Embassy has said that "USAID/India did not receive or provide funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India" from fiscal years 2014 to 2024, nor has it implemented any voter turnout-related activities in India, the Centre has told Rajya Sabha.
The government said this in a written response to a query from CPI(M) MP John Brittas on Thursday, asking the status of the actions taken by it on the "reports suggesting the utilisation of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds" to "increase voter turnout in Indian elections".
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in his response said, on February 28, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) requested the US Embassy in New Delhi to "urgently furnish details" of expenditure incurred on all USAID-assisted or funded projects in India over the last ten years (other than those being implemented under the seven Partnership Agreements with the government of India).
The MEA also sought a list of NGOs or implementing partners through which such initiatives were executed.
On July 2, the US Embassy shared data that "it said covered USAID funding in India from 2014 to 2024", including details of implementing partners, objectives, and key accomplishments of each activity undertaken, he said.
In his response, the MoS further said, "The Embassy also maintains that 'USAID/India did not receive or provide funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India from fiscal years 2014 to 2024, nor has it implemented any voter turnout-related activities in India.'".
On July 29, the US Embassy conveyed to the MEA that it plans to bring all USAID operations to a close "by 15 August 2025," the Centre told Rajya Sabha.
On August 11, the US Embassy in New Delhi, in a letter to the Department of Economic Affairs, "conveyed that all seven Partnership Agreements signed with the government of India would stand closed with effect from 15 August 2025", the minister said.
Singh, in his response, said while the review of USAID operations was ongoing in the United States, on February 16, 2025, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in a post on X, announced the cancellation of USD486 million in USAID funding for Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) projects worldwide, including USD21 million allocation for increasing "voter turnout in India."
Effective July 1, USAID's operations officially ceased. Approximately 83 per cent of its programmes were terminated, and 94 per cent of its staff were laid off. The State Department assumed responsibility for the remaining 17 per cent of USAID's operations and foreign aid administration, Singh said.
"The full closure of USAID is scheduled to be completed by September 2, 2025," he said.
Brittas also asked whether the government has received from the US the details of expenditures on all USAID projects in India over the last three years, sought through the US Embassy.
Singh, in his response, said a "beneficiary-wise breakdown of USAID allocations made available to the Ministry for three years -- 2022, 2023 and 2024, as sought by the Hon'ble Member of Parliament, is placed at Annexure-A".
Brittas had also asked a similar question in Rajya Sabha, related to USAID, in March this year.
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Yenepoya University conducts autism awareness campaign in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The Department of Occupational Therapy at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) conducted a community-based Autism Awareness Campaign at Fiza Mall and Ullal Beach in the city.
The campaign was aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and early identification of autism, in line with the global theme, “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.”
The programme was led by Dr. Dhayanithi K and Dr. Ananya Jana as organising chairpersons, with Dr. Anas, Dr. Amanda S. Phillip, and Dr. Ansu V. David served as organising members.
Students of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme participated in conducting the campaign.
The event included activities such as flash mobs, street plays, face painting, mehendi, and direct interaction with the public.
These activities focused on highlighting early signs of autism, the need for early intervention, and the importance of inclusion and acceptance of individuals with autism.
The campaign reached around 300 to 500 members of the public. It also provided students with practical exposure to community-based rehabilitation and public health education.
As part of the initiative, QR-based digital resources were introduced to help the public access reliable information on autism.
“Awareness is the first step towards inclusion, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes,” the organising team said.
The department thanked the university for its support in organising the campaign. It also acknowledged the cooperation of the management of Fiza Mall and the Ullal Beach Police Department in facilitating the event.
