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India aid programme 'beset by corruption' - World Bank | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Jill McGivering BBC News | By Jill McGivering BBC News |
Attempts by the Indian government to combat poverty are not working, according to the World Bank. | Attempts by the Indian government to combat poverty are not working, according to the World Bank. |
The governing coalition spends billions of dollars - more than 2% of its gross domestic product - on helping the poor. | The governing coalition spends billions of dollars - more than 2% of its gross domestic product - on helping the poor. |
But a new World Bank report says aid programmes are beset by corruption, bad administration and under-payments. | But a new World Bank report says aid programmes are beset by corruption, bad administration and under-payments. |
As an example, the report cites grain: only 40% of grain handed out for the poor reaches its intended target. | As an example, the report cites grain: only 40% of grain handed out for the poor reaches its intended target. |
India's coalition government is spending massively on programmes to reduce poverty. | India's coalition government is spending massively on programmes to reduce poverty. |
Embarrassment | Embarrassment |
This was the first time India's major schemes had been evaluated. | This was the first time India's major schemes had been evaluated. |
The World Bank says the public distribution programme, which soaks up almost half the money, has brought limited benefits. | The World Bank says the public distribution programme, which soaks up almost half the money, has brought limited benefits. |
It gives subsidised food and other goods to the poor. | It gives subsidised food and other goods to the poor. |
The report says one landmark scheme, launched more than five years ago, aims to guarantee government work for the rural unemployed. | The report says one landmark scheme, launched more than five years ago, aims to guarantee government work for the rural unemployed. |
But the World Bank found that it was failing to have an impact in the poorest states because of under-payments and bad administration. | But the World Bank found that it was failing to have an impact in the poorest states because of under-payments and bad administration. |
All this is embarrassing for the Congress party, which leads the coalition government. | All this is embarrassing for the Congress party, which leads the coalition government. |
It promised to reduce the gap between the small percentage of wealthy Indians and very large percentage of poor ones, who feel excluded from the economic boom. | It promised to reduce the gap between the small percentage of wealthy Indians and very large percentage of poor ones, who feel excluded from the economic boom. |
This report suggests that however good intentions may be, the delivery still needs a lot of work. | This report suggests that however good intentions may be, the delivery still needs a lot of work. |
Although India is seeing rapid growth, more than 40% of its population still lives below the poverty line. | Although India is seeing rapid growth, more than 40% of its population still lives below the poverty line. |
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