No USAID funding to boost voter turnout in India: Centre replies to Left MP's query

The government on Thursday, while replying to a query raised by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, said that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) did not pump in any money to "increase voter turnout in India".

The government cited a reply by the US Embassy in New Delhi with regard to the claims of election funding in India by USAID.

In his March 13 query, Brittas referred to an "unstarred question" given in the Rajya Sabha seeking, "the status of the action taken by the government on the reports suggesting the utilisation of USAID funds to increase voter turnout in Indian elections and details".

The CPI(M) parliamentarian also sought the details of any funds received in the last three years and the action taken on the same by the Centre.

The government, in a detailed reply issued on Thursday (August 21), said, "On July 2, 2025, the US Embassy shared data that it said covered USAID funding in India from 2014 to 2024, including details of implementing partners, objectives, and key accomplishments of each activity undertaken. The Embassy also maintains that USAID/India "did not receive or provide funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India".

The government added that, as apprised by the US mission in India, the US government also announced the cancellation of USD 486 million in USAID funding for Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) projects worldwide, including India.

For the uninitiated, a massive controversy erupted in India in February after the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced its decision to "slash" a USD 21 million programme designed to increase voter turnout in India, among other funding to several other countries. Opposition parties attacked the government and sought clarifications.

The government, with reference to Brittas's queries, also answered that the US government under President Donald Trump paused foreign assistance funded by USAID for 90 days on January 20, 2025.

It added that the Trump administration slashed 83 per cent of USAID programmes on March 10 and the US Congress was notified about permanently dismantling the agency on March 29.

ROW OVER ALLEGED USAID FUNDING IN INDIA

The BJP and the Congress engaged in a war of words after the DOGE tweet's explosive claims gave both the parties ammunition against each-other.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared DOGE's post with the caption, "$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!"

Congress leader Pawan Khera, citing an Indian Express report, hit out at the BJP and said that it was the saffron camp that had been in the Opposition for the longest period and had taken "direct help from external forces" to destablise Congress governments.

Making his opinion count, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India SY Quraishi refuted reports that the US provided funding for boosting voter turnout in India and termed the reports "completely false and malicious".

- Ends