(a) whether the World Bank has identified India amongst the most needy for poverty aid:
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action plan alongwith quantum of aid promised by the World Bank;
(c) the reforms proposed to be taken up to fight poverty with the support of aid; and
(d) the extent to which these reforms will be helpful in fighting the poverty?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (S.S.PALANIMANICKAM)
(a) & (b): The World Bank in its Country Strategy (July 2004 - June 2008) has mentioned that since about one quarter of the World`s poor live in India, the Bank`s efforts to assist India with best practice knowledge and financing for development are central to its mission to help reduce global poverty. This is envisaged through up-scaling of Bank`s lending to US$ 2.5 to 3 billion per annum in each of these four years for funding of projects not only for poverty alleviation, but also in the fields of health, education, human development, rural livelihoods and infrastructure development.
(c) & (d): Comprehensive reforms in the areas of Fiscal Policy, Delivery of Public Services, Improved Investment Climate and in Agriculture and Rural development are being carried out. These cross cutting reforms are expected to accelerate growth and rapidly improve other social indicators including reduction of Poverty.