World Bank portfolio in Maharashtra below historical averages, keen to up commitments

World Bank's country head for India Auguste Tano Kouame on Tuesday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and expressed the multilateral lender’s intent to expand the commitment.

Kouame said the current size of the portfolio under implementation across various sectors in Maharashtra stands at $600 million, and pointed out that it has gone lower than the historical averages partly due to the Covid pandemic and also other priorities pursued by the team.

"The World Bank is interested in increasing its commitments to Maharashtra in the coming years," Kouame told PTI after meeting Fadnavis here.

During the meeting, the visiting WB officials discussed a slew of potential projects and ideas which included a large programme to make cities and urban spaces liveable, efficient and sustainable, he said, adding that final decision on any commitment will be taken by appropriate officials within the bank.

Water, sanitation and efficient urban local bodies, along with infrastructure projects focusing on transportation are also high on the Bank's agenda, he said.

Coastline development in such a way that it helps the local communities build livelihoods without hurting the natural diversity was also discussed, he said.

The bank is also mulling a follow-on investment in a project aimed at expanding agricultural productivity, he said, adding that making cities and districts flood-resilient was also discussed.

It is also keen to play a part in promoting innovation and quality of healthcare in the state, he said, adding that ideas on helping Maharashtra achieve its ambition of taking the gross state domestic product to $1 trillion were also discussed.

The present portfolio concentrates on the agriculture, skills and capacity framework for districts, Kouame said, pointing out that there are a slew of other areas where the state can partner.

"Maharashtra wants to engage with us," he said, pointing to the discussions at the meeting.

Declining to specify the Indian state with the highest commitments, the country head said the bank wishes to go beyond financial support to get the global best practices.

When asked about the Maharashtra government's finances and about certain social sector schemes criticized as doles, he said the bank will wait for the state budget to be presented next month and then comment on concerns around fiscal profligacy, if any.