Veena Reddy News: Veena Reddy, former Indian Director of the US agency USAID (US Agency for International Development), has come into the limelight these days. The controversy deepened when BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani allegedly demanded an investigation of $ 21 million funding to increase the voting percentage in India.
US President Donald Trump also expressed concern over this funding and said that “this fund can be used to influence the results of the Lok Sabha elections”.
Who is Veena Reddy?
Andhra Pradesh -born American diplomat Veena Reddy joined USAID India on 5 August 2021. On 17 July 2024, he announced to return to America. Earlier she has been a corporate attorney in New York, London and Los Angeles. He earned an MA and BA degree from Doctor of Zurispraudenses and University of Chicago from Columbia University.
He also worked for USAID in Pakistan, Central Asian countries and Central America. She has also been a member of the Bar Council of New York and California.
Increasing funding for USAID India: What do figures say?
During the tenure of Veena Reddy, there was a huge increase in funding given by USAID to India. After 2001, in 2022, the highest $ 228 million (Rs 1982 crore) fund was received.
Year funding (USD million)
2020 83.2
2021 94.3
2022 228
2023 175.7
2024 151.8
Out of 228 million dollars found in 2022, 50% ($ 140.7 million) was spent on health sector, $ 25.09 million on maternal and infant health, $ 10.57 million on HIV/AIDS prevention, $ 7.186 million on environmental protection, $ 5.6 million energy energy On projects.
Veena Reddy’s tenure and major projects in India
The first Indian-American diplomatic to lead USAID in India and Bhutan also led the USAID mission in Cambodia, Haiti, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Worked on several projects of USAID with government bodies like Railways, NITI Aayog, NTPC Green, National Skill Development Corporation, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Health and Atal Innovation Mission. Visited various states to promote digital payment, health and education programs.
Why dispute over usaid funding?
BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani demanded an investigation into alleged funding of $ 21 million. Donald Trump alleged that this fund could be used to influence India’s Lok Sabha elections. He said, “I think they (Usaid) were trying to elected someone else. We have to tell the Government of India.” Now it has to be seen what steps the Government of India takes on this matter and will the funding of USAid be investigated.
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