Cancellation of nearly 40 million dollars in aid to Nepal by the United States

KATHMANDU –The Elon Musk-led US Department of Government Efficiency (Dodge) has canceled a grant of three hundred and ninety million US dollars that was supposed to be given to Nepal under the project titled ‘Economic Federalism and Biodiversity Conservation’. Dodge posted on social network X and announced the cancellation of 20 million dollars under the title of economic federalism and 109 million dollars under the title of biodiversity protection.
It is said that this grant amount was approved by the then Biden administration. In a notice issued by Dodge through X, it is stated that the projects that were to spend the money provided by American taxpayers have been canceled. Dodge has canceled a total of 721.5 million US dollars that was supposed to be given not only to Nepal, but to many countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mali, South Africa.
Dodge has also canceled $21 million in grants to increase voter turnout in India and $29 million in grants to strengthen the political scene in Bangladesh. It is worth noting that the US has been accused of being involved in the political changes that led to the ouster of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh in August.
On the other hand, India’s ruling party, the BJP, has criticized the project, which is about to invest in India in the name of voter turnout and has been canceled, as external interference in India’s election process.
Dodge said the grant was canceled to improve government efficiency and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not spent on questionable or questionable foreign political activities. In order to cut federal spending and increase government efficiency and productivity, President Donald Trump has formed the Department of Government Efficiency under the leadership of Musk.