Wolfowitz to study WB-sponsored schemes' impact in Andhra

World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz has chosen Mahaboobnagar, the most backward district of Telangana region to get the first hand information on the implementation of various World Bank-sponsored schemes in Andhra Pradesh.

Wolfowitz, who arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday night from Lahore (Pakistan) by a special aircraft, will spend most of his time on Thursday in the district visiting some villages in Kosigi and Bomrasipet mandals.

He is accompanied by Michael Carter, country director, Praful Patel, vice-president, Kevin Kellems, senior director and C M Vasudev, executive director of the World Bank.

According to the official tour programme, Paul will interact with self-help groups, see the various interventions under Indira Kranthi Patham, visit schools to see the impact of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, interact with health department and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS ) functionaries, interact with Vana Samrakhana Samiti(VSS) members, inspect rural water supply schemes in both the mandals.

On his return to Hyderabad at 4 pm, he will straight away attend an exhibition on various developmental initiatives by the state government at Jubilee Hall and interact with over 100 women self-help group members.

Later in the evening, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will host a dinner in the honour of Wolfowitz.

During the past 10 years, Andhra Pradesh became the most favoured state of the World Bank in the country in terms of the quantum of assistance.

The programmes under implementation with the World Bank loan include AP Forestry Management Project, District Poverty Initiative Project(DPIP), AP Rural Poverty Reduction Project, Andhra Pradesh Economic Restructuring Project(APERP), National Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme and AP Urban Reforms and Municipal Services Project.

The last programme has been sanctioned after the Congress party came to power in 2004 and is expected commence from September, 2005. Of the total expenditure for all these projects, the World Bank is providing an assistance of Rs 6,190 crore while the Andhra Pradesh government is providing Rs 1,816 crore towards state's share.