DOGE Cancels $21 Million Grant for Voter Turnout in India, BJP Responds Critically
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, has canceled a $21 million grant for voter turnout in India, a decision that sparked controversy within Indian politics. BJP criticized the funding as an external interference in elections, while DOGE’s actions are part of broader cuts across various international projects. The cancellation raises questions about the impacts of foreign aid on India’s electoral integrity.
Elon Musk’s United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has rescinded a $21 million grant that was part of a $486 million budget aimed at enhancing voter turnout in India. This funding was allocated under the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening” during the Biden administration. The cancellation highlights DOGE’s effort to cut government expenditures established during the Trump administration.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) labeled the USAID funding as clear evidence of external interference in India’s electoral affairs. Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT cell, questioned who would benefit from such funding, indicating it would not favor the ruling party. He remarked on X, stating, “$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process.”
Alongside the India grant, DOGE also eliminated other taxpayer-funded projects, which included:
– $10M for Mozambique’s voluntary male circumcision program
– $9.7M to UC Berkeley for skills development in Cambodian youth
– $32M directed to the Prague Civil Society Centre
– $40M for a gender equality hub
– Other significant amounts across various initiatives related to electoral processes and social improvements in countries like Nepal, Liberia, and Mali.
The withdrawal of the $21 million grant reflects the ongoing trend under DOGE and the Trump administration to limit government funding for international projects, and it sparked significant political debate in India. The BJP’s response indicates concerns about foreign influence in local electoral processes, highlighting longstanding tensions over international aid and its implications for India’s sovereignty in governance.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
