• By Nidhi Giri
  • Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:41 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

US President Donald Trump questioned the USD 21 million fund designated for ‘voter turnout in India’ by the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE), saying that India, with its growing economy and high taxation rates, did not need such financial support.

"Why are we giving USD 21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?" ANI quoted Donald Trump as saying while signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago.

DOGE Cancels Fund For India

On February 16, DOGE in a post on X, announced cancelling many programmes costing hundreds of millions of taxpayers' dollars.

The department said, "US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all (of) which have been cancelled..." The list included USD 486 million in grants to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening including USD 21 million for "voter turnout in India".

READ MORE: Shivaji Jayanti 2025 Holiday: Will There Be Bank And School Holiday On February 19? | Check Here

Controversy In India: BJP Criticises Opposition Congress

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India's institutions by forces opposed to the nation's interests - those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity,” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X.

Once again, he alleged, "It is the billionaire US-based investor George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process."

READ MORE: DDA Special Housing Scheme 2025: E-Auction And Allotment Of Affordable Flats Begins Today, Starting Price Rs 29 Lakh | How To Apply

Following attacks from the BJP, the Congress demanded a probe.

"The Congress party is clear that any kind of foreign intervention in our democratic process or election process is unwarranted and not correct and we oppose it. It needs to be condemned and there should be a probe into it," PTI quoted senior Congress leader Ajay Maken as saying.

(With Agency Inputs)