Veena Reddy, former Indian Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is in the news for alleged funding of $ 21 million to increase the voting percentage in India. Reddy came into the limelight when BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani demanded an inquiry into funding and questioned his role. After his criticism, President Donald Trump said that this fund can be used to influence the results of the Lok Sabha elections. Trump said in a meeting on Wednesday, “I think he (USAID) was trying to elected someone else. We have to tell the Government of India.”
Born in Andhra Pradesh US diplomat Reddy joined USAID India on 5 August 2021. He announced to return to America on 17 July 2024.
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Veena Reddy was a corporate attorney in New York, London and Los Angeles before joining the US government as Foreign Services Officer. At the time of his arrival in India, the US embassy announced that Reddy had an MA and BA degree from Doctor of Zurispraudenses and University of Chicago from Columbia University School of Law.
He has also worked for USAID in Pakistan, Central Asian Republics and Central America. Reddy has also been a member of the Bar Council of New York and California.
Increase in funds …
Usaid recorded a significant increase in funding during his tenure for Indian projects. It increased manifold to 228 million dollars in 2022, or more than 1982 crores, which is the highest since 2001.
According to the US government data, in 2020, Indian projects received $ 83.2 million from USAID, which increased to $ 94.3 million in 2021. It increased to $ 228 million in 2022 and then reduced to $ 175.7 million in 2023 and $ 151.8 million in 2024.
According to official data, out of a total of $ 228 million funds for 2022, USAID India has $ 140.7 million (or about 50%) on basic health, $ 25.09 million on maternal and child health, prevention of HIV/AIDS and on awareness programs It has spent $ 10.57 million, $ 7.186 million on general environmental protection and $ 5.6 million on energy.
According to the US embassy, ​​Veena Reddy was the first Indian American to lead USAID in India and Bhutan. He led the mission of USAID in Cambodia before taking charge in India. Reddy also served as deputy mission heads in Haiti and was associated with the agency’s Assistant General Counsel, covering the legal matters for USAID programs in Asia, Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Reddy was also leading USAID operations in Bhutan from the US embassy in New Delhi, which is common in many foreign missions.
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Veena Reddy’s functioning
According to the US State Department, during his tenure of nearly 3 years as Mission Direct, he oversee various projects in health, economic development, education and social services, democracy, human rights and governance.
Railways, Ministry of Energy, NITI Aayog, National Electricity Training Institute (NPTI) and Electricity Area Skills Council, NTPC Green National Skill Development Corporation, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Atal Innovation Mission are among the major government bodies Either signed new agreements or implemented USAID-funded programs during Reddy’s tenure in New Delhi.
He visited several states to promote and take care of programs related to digital payment promotion, health and education.
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As a USAID India Mission Director, Reddy participated in several high level government programs at the invitation of ministries and departments. In November 2023, she was a speaker at the World Toilet Day program organized under the chairmanship of the then Urban Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. He told the minister, “We are proud to work with the ministry. Thank you for calling usaid here.” The minister thanked him for his participation and support in his closing speech.
In July 2023, Veena Reddy participated in the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting chaired by India.