The World Bank has offered $500 mn assistance for the first phase of the national e-governance plan. "In 2005 the World Bank approved the India government's e-governance project concept and gave the green light to proceed which could in-principle lead to a contemplated $500 mn financing over the next four years," Mark Dutz, senior ecomomist at the bank said. "The final decision of bank support, including amount of financing and other modalities, is expected to be forthcoming within next nine to 12 months subject to adequate government preparation," he said, adding the bank is willing to upscale that support to the extent required.