GoI and World Bank sign $400-mn project to protect the poor

NEW DELHI: The Government of India and World Bank have signed a project worth $400 million to support India in its efforts for providing assistance to the poor and vulnerable who are impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second operation in the series of two projects and the first one was of $750 million approved in May 2020. This will strengthen the the capacity of state and central governments to provide coordinated social protection to the poor and vulnerable from the shocks of pandemic.

C S Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, said that the crisis has brought the struggles and risks of migrants and urban poor to the front. It also showed the need to strengthen the preparedness of government to tackle future disasters. The project will also help further expand and deepen the country’s coverage of social protection systems by helping these vulnerable groups in urban and semi-urban regions across the nation.

Mohaparta signed the project on behalf of the Government of India, while Sumila Gulyani, Acting Country Director, signed it on behalf of the World Bank.