Four World Bank Loan Agreements of $792 million signed

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Four loan agreements, three for health sector projects and one for rural water sector project, were signed today between India and the World Bank for a total assistance of 792 million dollars.

Health sector projects are designed to improve reproductive and child health services, reduce mortality and morbidity due to tuberculosis in the country, and to increase utilisation of essential health services in the state of Karnataka.

These projects will go a long way in achieving the objectives of the National Rural Health Mission.

The rural water supply sector project is designed to improve the effectiveness of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation services under the control of Panchayati Raj Institutions and local communities in Uttaranchal.

The Reproductive and Child Health Project II and Second National Tuberculosis Control Project are central sector projects.

These two agreements were signed by Mr M Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India and Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, Acting Country Director, on behalf of the World Bank.

The third project, that is, Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project is a state sector project. It was signed by Mr M Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India, Ms Usha Ganesh, Principal Secretary, Karnataka government on behalf of the state government while Mr Benmessaoud, signed on behalf of the World Bank.

The fourth project, that is, Uttaranchal Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is also a state sector project. It was signed by Mr M Prasad, Joint Secretary (FB), Department of Economic Affairs, on behalf of Government of India, Mr S S Sandhu, Secretary, Uttaranchal Government on behalf of the state Government and Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, on behalf of the World Bank.

The total cost of the Reproductive and Child Health Project II from FY 2006 to FY 2010 is expected to be 2,232 million dollars.

Besides, World Bank assistance of 360 million dollars, Government of India, will provide domestic budgetary support of 1,062 million dollars. The balance is expected to be provided by other development partners, including Department for International Development.

The project aims to achieve the reduction in maternal mortality and child mortality with the use of essential reproductive and child health services of adequate quality with reduction of geographical disparities. It is proposed to be achieved through 'improvement in essential Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Services', 'Technical Assistance, Monitoring and Evaluation' and ' Polio Eradication'.

The total cost of Second National Tuberculosis Control Programme, from FY 2006 to FY 2011, is 342 million dollars. Besides World Bank assistance of 170 million dollars, Government of India is providing domestic budgetary support of 42.5 million dollars for the project.

The balance requirement is expected to be provided by other development partners.

The project aims at treating and reducing the incidence of tuberculosis through sustaining the quality of public TB services across the country and by maximising inclusion of TB patients under Directly Observed Treatment, Short course (DOTS).

The total cost of Karnataka Health System Development and Reform project from FY 2006 to FY 2011 is 206.48 million dollars. For the project, World Bank's assistance is 141.83 million dollars while the Government of Karnataka is contributing 64.65 million dollars.

The objective of the project is to assist the state of Karnataka in improving the utilisation of essential curative and public health services, particularly in underserved areas and amongst vulnerable groups to accelerate achievement of the health related Millennium Development Goals.

The total cost of Uttaranchal Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is 224 million dollars out of which the World Bank will finance 120 million dollars. The project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2012.

The development objective of the project is to improve the effectiveness of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation services under the control of Panchayati Raj Institutions and local communities in the state of Uttaranchal.

The project is also expected to bring associated benefits, including improved health resulting from reduced water borne diseases, environmental sustainability through protection and management of water catchment areas and well being of the rural population.

Components of the project are Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Development, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Investments' Programme Management Support and Monitoring and Evaluation.

UNI