In February affected communities, and local NGOs undertook a hunger strike in protest against the implementation of the Bank funded water project of the Taunsa Barrage Emergency Rehabilitation and Modernisation.
South Asia
Environment
News
Indian forestry project violates safeguards
An Indian forestry project is found to violate Bank safeguards.
Rights
News
Mumbai infrastructure violates safeguards: Inspection Panel
The publication on 29 March of the Inspection Panel investigation into the Mumbai urban transport project has revealed that the Bank "did not comply with a number of requirements under its own policies".
Social services
News
Controversy surrounds Bank role in India water privatisation
Accusations emerged in late July that the World Bank had pressured the Indian government to select Price Waterhouse Coopers for advisory work undertaken as part of the Delhi Water Sector Project.
Rights
Commentary
People’s assembly demands justice from World Bank
Villagers of Badin district in southeastern Pakistan are demanding compensation from the World Bank for a drainage infrastructure project that has wrought environmental devastation and led to the loss of lives.
Social services
News
World Bank tsunami response
World Bank's response to the tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives
Rights
News
Irrigation project violates Bank's safeguards policies
Communities in the Sindh Valley in Pakistan have filed a claim with the World Bank Inspection Panel citing potential harmful effects of the 285 million dollar National Drainage Program (NDP) on the indigenous Mallah people.
Environment
News
Coal India: Rehabilitation claims linger on unaddressed
The central argument put forward by proponents of the World Bank's involvement in oil, gas and mining projects is that the Bank's presence ensures compliance with higher environmental and social standards than would be the case without its involvement. However, the case of Coal India - an open-pit coal mine in Jharkand state - casts serious doubt on this argument.
IFI governance
News
Controversial Indian dam approved
In October the Bank's board approved a $45 million loan from the International Finance Corporation, for the controversial Allain Duhangan hydropower project in the Indian Himalayas.
IFI governance
News
Above the law? Battle over World Bank immunity in Bangladesh
Civil society groups, opposition parties and the media are calling for the repeal of a bill which would amend the scope of the Bank's immunities under Bangladeshi law.
Social services
Commentary
Contradictions in the World Banks India Country Assistance Strategy
In August, representatives of social movements, national alliances and civil society organisations met in New Delhi and issued a statement explicitly rejecting the Bank's strategy for India.
Rights
News
Peoples' movement tackles IFI anniversary
A special publication by the National Alliance of Peoples' Movements India features a range of critical articles on international financial institutions.