‘$21M for voter turnout in India’: Elon Musk-led DOGE cuts grant; BJP responds | India News
Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Donald Trump administration on Sunday announced a series of expenditure cuts including the cancellation of $21 million intended for “voter turnout in India.”
Sharing a post on X, the official DOGE handle outlined the list stating that, “US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled.”
It also canceled several other US spending, including $ 29 million allocated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” and $ 10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision,” aimed at saving US taxpayer money.
BJP’s Amit Malviya took to X, responding to the announcement, stating that the $21 million allocated for voter turnout in India amounts to external interference in the country’s electoral process and questioned who would benefit from it.
“$486M to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,’ including $22M for ‘inclusive and participatory political process’ in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India,” Malviya wrote in a post on X.
“$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” he added.
The Department of Government Efficiency further cancelled $29 million allocated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” and $39 million designated for “fiscal federalism” and “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal.
Additionally, $1.5 million for voter confidence programs in Liberia, $14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali, $2.5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa,” and $47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia” were also scrapped.
The department also announced the cancellation of $32 million allocated to the Prague Civil Society Centre, $40 million for a gender equality and women’s empowerment hub, and $14 million for enhancing public procurement in Serbia.
These actions align with DOGE’s recent pattern of implementing substantial modifications to government expenditure. Established during the Trump administration, DOGE was tasked with eliminating “wasteful” government spending. However it has drawn scrutiny over its broad powers and Musk’s influence.
During his recent visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with Musk focused on enhancing collaboration between Indian and American entities across various sectors including innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.
The dialogue between PM Modi and Elon Musk, who was joined by three of his children, also encompassed expanding cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance.
Trump recently launched a scathing attack on USAID (US Agency for International Development), alleging widespread mismanagement of funds. He asserted that the organisation’s financial dealings were dubious and called for its shutdown.
“USAID is driving the radical left crazy, and there is nothing they can do about it because the way in which the money has been spent, so much of it fraudulently, is totally unexplainable. The corruption is at levels rarely seen before. Close it down,” Trump wrote in a post on X.
