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DFID programme in A.P.

Charlotte Seymour-Smith, Minister (Development) and Head, Department for International Development-India, British High Commission, New Delhi, writes:

George Monbiot's interview published in The Hindu (January 23) makes some incorrect and misleading assertions about the DFID's programme in Andhra Pradesh.

The DFID's strategy and programme in Andhra Pradesh was formulated in 2000-01, in consultation with the Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh and civil society. The document, which gives details of the DFID's approach, is available from the website www.dfid.gov.uk or from the DFID offices in Delhi and Hyderabad.

The overarching aim of the DFID's programme is to support efforts to accelerate poverty reduction in Andhra Pradesh. Our assistance is provided in several areas, including education, health, rural livelihoods and tackling urban poverty, as well support to the Government's economic and governance reform programme. In 2002-03, the DFID's programme in A.P. spent £40.7 million and not £342 million, as mentioned by Mr. Monbiot in the interview.

In 2002, the U.K. Government passed the International Development Act, to enshrine in legislation that the purpose of its international assistance is poverty reduction.

It is not to promote the commercial interests of the U.K. as asserted by Mr. Monbiot. I would also like to emphasise that since April 2001, all of the U.K.'s development aid has been completely united to ensure that it makes the maximum impact on eradicating poverty and achieving the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals.

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