ADB LOAN TO HIMACHAL PRADESH

• Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB)and the Government of India signed a USD 96.3-million loan agreement to provide safe drinking water and improve water supply and sanitation services in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
• The project is aligned with the objectives of the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission which aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024.
• It will upgrade water supply infrastructure and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure safe, sustainable, and inclusive rural water supply and sanitation services.

Features:

• Although more than 90% of the state’s rural population has access to drinking water, the water supply infrastructure needs revamping, for efficient and improved service quality.
• A pilot fecal sludge management and sanitation programme will also be implemented in Sirmaur District, benefiting 250,000 residents.
• The project will strengthen the capacity of the Jal Shakti Vibhag of the Government of Himachal Pradesh and gram panchayat (local government) village water and sanitation committees.
• It will support the state government’s water tariff policy reforms and introduce an asset management system at the state-level and district asset management plans.
• Key project stakeholders and community-based organisations will be trained on water management, including livelihood skills training for women’s self-help groups.

Asian Development Bank

• ADB, established in 1966 is owned by 68 members-49 from the region.
•  It is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
• Further, it assists members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
• It aims to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.
• As of 31st December 2019, ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People’s Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
• It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT