On 26th, June, 2023, World Bank approved USD 391 million in financing to improve healthcare services and economic opportunities in India’s northeastern states of Assam and Tripura. The funding aims to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services and economic development in these regions of northeast India.
i. The World Bank’s support for these projects underscores its commitment to the development efforts of the Government of India in the northeast region.
ii. By improving healthcare access and promoting economic development, these initiatives will contribute to a better quality of life and increased productivity in Assam and Tripura.
ASSIST-Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation
The Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST) Project will receive USD 251 million to improve access to secondary healthcare services.
- The project will focus on providing comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services, managing non-communicable diseases, and upgrading lower-level facilities to district hospitals.
- It will also strengthen the capacity of healthcare managers and nurses to improve service delivery.
The ASSIST project aims to serve at least 1.8 million people and can potentially serve as a model for healthcare innovations in the Northeast region.
Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project:
The Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project will receive USD 140 million to promote socioeconomic development and improve the lives of tribal populations.
i. The project includes upgrading over 400 kilometres of rural roads to all-weather roads, providing better market access for farmers and communities in hilly and forested areas.
ii. Climate-smart agriculture practices will also be implemented, benefiting around 75,000 households by improving their livelihoods.
Additionally, the project aims to improve learning outcomes for secondary school students by increasing enrollments for boys and providing teacher training.
Tenure/Maturity Period:
The financing, consisting of a USD 251 million variable spread loan for Assam and a USD 140 million loan for Tripura, is sourced from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The loans have a maturity period of 10.5 years, including a five-year grace period.
World Bank Grants USD 300M Loan to Improve Education in Chhattisgarh
On 27th june, 2023, The World Bank has approved a USD 300 million loan, with maturity of 18.5 years along with a grace period of 5 years, to enhance the quality of education in government-run schools in Chhattisgarh, India under the project CHALK (Chhattisgarh Accelerated Learning for a Knowledge Economy Operation) which aims to benefit 4 million students, particularly those from poor and vulnerable communities.
i. The World Bank’s USD 300 million loan for CHALK signifies a substantial investment in Chhattisgarh’s education sector.
ii. By expanding access to quality education, enhancing teaching standards, and addressing infrastructure gaps, the project aims to equip students with the skills needed for future employment. It reinforces the state’s commitment to building an inclusive and prosperous society.
Background:
- In Chhattisgarh, a significant majority of schools, around 86 percent, are under government administration. While the enrollment rate in elementary schools is high at 95 percent, it drops considerably to 57.6 percent at the senior secondary level.
- Moreover, there is a noticeable disparity between boys and girls, with boys having an enrollment rate 10.8 percent lower than that of girls.
This decline in enrollment can be attributed to multiple factors, including the absence of science and commerce education in many senior secondary schools, a shortage of qualified teachers specialising in science and mathematics, and a lack of essential infrastructure such as laboratories and facilities.
- Additionally, students residing in remote areas encounter difficulties in finding suitable accommodations. While girls are provided with residential school facilities through the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha program, there is currently no equivalent scheme available for boys.
About CHALK (Chhattisgarh Accelerated Learning for a Knowledge Economy Operation)
CHALK will establish and operate 600 model composite schools from Grades 1 to 12, offering science and commerce programs at the senior secondary level. These schools will ensure quality education through trained teachers, strong leadership, and adequate infrastructure. Climate-proofing school infrastructure will be prioritised using environmentally sound construction practices.
About Chhattisgarh:
Chief Minister – Bhupesh Baghel
Governor – Biswa Bhushan Harichandan
National Park – Guru Ghasidas National Park, Kanger Valley National Park
About World Bank:
The World Bank Group consists of five institutions working together to achieve their common goals. These institutions include:
- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
- International Development Association (IDA)
- International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
- International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
