Buddha gets pat from World Bank (April 7, The Telegraph)
The World Bank today expressed satisfaction over steps taken by the Bengal government for economic reforms and attracting investment and indicated it would pump in more funds for a string of projects in the state.
Emerging from a meeting with chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the World Bank director in charge of south-east Asia, Sadiq Ahmed, said the state government was trying its best to woo investors and good work was being done towards reforms.
“We are of the opinion that the state government has taken positive steps towards comprehensive economic growth of Bengal and is trying its best to bring in new investment and carry out reforms properly,” said Ahmed.
The World Bank director said the state government had also taken measures for poverty alleviation. “The government has also taken positive steps in its budget to reduce fiscal deficit and had increased revenue by 20 per cent from VAT,” said Ahmed.
A three-member World Bank team led by Ahmed today reviewed the ongoing World Bank-funded projects in Bengal in the fields of technical education, panchayat and rural development.
The Bengal government has proposed to the World Bank to provide funds for projects in the health, municipal affairs and urban development sectors. Today’s meeting also discussed the proposed projects. Among others present at the meeting were finance minister Asim Dasgupta and chief secretary A.K. Deb.
“We held discussions on how to increase assistance to the state in the fields of health, education and municipal sectors. We also discussed ongoing
projects,” said Ahmed.
Ahmed said the government had adhered to guidelines set for the ongoing projects. “So, we think there will not be any problems to sanction funds for future projects.”
However, he added that while drawing up projects for World Bank funds, the state government should emphasise on basic services to common people.