A November field study by Indian NGO the Research Collective has found that an International Finance Corporation (IFC, the Bank's private sector arm) supported coal-power plant run by GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited (GKEL), financed through a financial intermediary, has caused water pollution in the Odisha region.
South Asia
Land
News
India complains Doing Business "not robust"
As an independent panel begun its review of the World Bank’s controversial Doing Business rankings, India’s public criticism of the rankings added weight to global governmental and civil society opposition.
Trade
News
IMF "onslaught" on Pakistan's economy
Pakistan must radically change its economic strategy, and raise Rupees 360 billion ($3.67 billion), 1.5 per cent of its GDP, before the Fund will agree to a new programme.
IFI governance
News
Pakistani PM's son-in-law new World Bank ED
The Pakistani prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf controversially appointed his son-in-law Raja Azeemul Haq as World Bank executive director (ED) in December replacing current ED Javed Talat whose term had expired.
Accountability
News
Inspection Panel examines Afghan mining project
The World Bank's Inspection Panel compliance body received two complaints in December relating to the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Project in Afghanistan.
Accountability
News
Pakistan loan talks despite debt cancellation calls
Talks between the IMF and Pakistan under post-programme monitoring resumed in September. Despite confidence amongst Pakistan officials in their country's capacity to repay its loans, the IMF fears the need for a second loan early next year
Finance
News
Bangladesh to raise VAT under IMF pressure
The Bangladeshi government is being pressured by the IMF's Asia and Pacific department officials to implement its recommendations, including raising the VAT rate, despite opposition from local civil society organizations.
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 6
The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) are financing instruments designed to pilot low-carbon and climate-resilient development through the multilateral development banks (MDBs). They are comprised of two trust funds - the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).
Infrastructure
Background
Water privatisation management issues
This session featured a discussion on the implications of current water policy reforms that have increasingly privatised and commodified water.
Accountability
News
World Bank back in on Padma bridge project?
The World Bank has decided to reengage with Bangladesh's Padma bridge project after it suspended its promised $1.2 billion loan last year over allegations of corruption in the consultant selection process
Land
News
No carbon pay for Indian farmers?
The Bank's compliance body, the Inspection Panel (IP), has received a request for inspection from farmers who reforested land in India as part of a Bank carbon sequestration project
Accountability
News
World Bank rejected by Indian NGOs
An early June statement from 26 social movements and NGOs in India have called the World Bank's plans for civil society consultation on the Bank's country assistance strategy (CAS) for India a "farce".
