Monday, July 20, 2009

 India and World Bank signed agreements for “Second Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project” and “Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project” 

Agreements relating to the ‘Second Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project’’ and ‘Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project’ were signed here today i.e., July 20, 2009 at the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance between the World Bank, Government of India and the State Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh respectively. 

The ‘Second Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project’ was signed for an International Development Association (IDA) credit amounting to Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 64.6 million (US$ 100 million). The development objective of this Project would be to improve the capacity and opportunities for the targeted rural poor to achieve sustainable livelihoods. The components of the project include (i) Social Empowerment and Institution Building (US$ 27.43 million); (ii) Livelihoods Investment Support (US$ 66.67 million); (iii) Employment Promotion Support (US$ 6.34 million); and (iv) Project Implementation Support (US$ 9.55 million). 

The ‘Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project’ was signed for credit amounting to SDR 127.3 million (US$ 197 million). The development objective of this Project is to increase agricultural productivity of degraded lands in selected areas of UP. The components of the project include: (i) On –Farm Development and Land Treatment (US$ 170.7 million); (ii) Improvement of Drainage Systems (US$ 39.2 million); (iii) Agriculture Support Services (US$ 9.4 million); (iv) Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for Market Access (US$ 9.7 million); and (v) Project Management (US$ 22.9 million). 

Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance signed the Agreements on behalf of the Government of India, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, Acting Country Director (India), signed on behalf of the World Bank. Shri Shailendra Singh, Secretary and Shri D.P. Ahuja, Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Society for Poverty Alleviation & Project Coordinator signed on behalf of Government of Madhya Pradesh. Shri Anoop Mishra, Principal Secretary & Industrial Infrastructure Development Commissioner and Smt. Aradhana Shukla, Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigarm signed on behalf of Government of Uttar Pradesh. 

The ‘Second Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiatives Project’ and ‘Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project’ are expected to be completed by December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 respectively.

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