South Asia

Rights

News

World Bank dams provoke hunger strikes in Pakistan

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.

2 April 2007

Environment

News

Indian forestry project violates safeguards

An Indian forestry project is found to violate Bank safeguards.

31 January 2007

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".

8 April 2006

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.

12 September 2005

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.

10 April 2005 | Guest comment

Social services

News

World Bank tsunami response

World Bank's response to the tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives

3 February 2005

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.

22 November 2004

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.

22 November 2004

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.

22 November 2004

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.

21 September 2004

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.

21 September 2004 | Guest comment

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.

28 May 2004