GUWAHATI, May 10? The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is actively considering an assistance of Rs 2000 crore (400 US $ million) to Assam. This was stated by Frank J Polman, Country Director of the Bank, during the concluding session of the three-day meeting of the officials of the ADB and the Government of Assam on May 10 which was chaired by the Chief Minister of Assam, stated an official press release. The delegation had visited Assam as a follow up of their fruitful visit to the State in December 2001. One of their visit objectives was to finalise the Country Assistance Program for India for the period 2003-05. The assistance is both in the form of loans as well as technical assistance. Before his visit to Assam, the ADB had discussions with the Department of Economic Affairs.
During the visit, the team had deliberations with various Departments of the State Government on mutual areas of interest for assistance. Deliberations of the three-day session revealed that the Asian Development Bank?s programme in India includes Infrastructure, Fiscal Consolidation, Urban Development and State-Level Support Programmes. Assam is the fourth State in India that has received the attention of the Bank after Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. According to Polman, the State?s geographical disadvantage had to be addressed by adequate assistance.
Responding to the requests that was made by the State, which were in the sectors of economic restructuring, power sector, road connectivity, Inland waterways and Urban development?, the Bank acceded to provide $ US 400 million in two instalments of 200 US $ million each for fiscal reforms, power sector and infrastructure development. The ADB has also offered to provide assistance under various other multi-State programmes viz Power Finance Corporation, Rural Roads Sector Development, E-Government ICT infrastructure Project, Inland Waterways Sector Development, Northeastern Region Urban Development and Restructuring of Rural Financial Sector during 2003-05 to the State, the ADB Chief stated.
A two-member DFID (Bank Department for International Development of Britain) team comprising Andrew Ockenden, Economic Advisor and Marshal Elliot, National Programme Manager showed keen interest to work in partnership with the Government of Assam. The team in principle agreed to provide technical assistance for the Computerisation of Budgetary Procedure and Expenditure Management, and is considering the proposal of special areas viz, Char and Hill Areas Development. The meeting was attended by Sudipto Mundle Chief Economist, ADB India, Tomoyuki Kimura Energy specialist ADB and Hiranya Mukhopadhyaya from the Asian Development Bank , Senior Government of Assam officials including the Chief Secretary, Commissioner and Secretary Finance, Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister and others were present in the concluding session.