After extending its financial support for India's development programmes particularly in the area of social infrastructure, the World Bank has now decided to support the country's e-governance initiatives. As part of this programme, the bank has approached the finance ministry to negotiate on modalities for extending loan assistance to implement the e-governance programme for the Centre and the states. The Centre has charted an ambitious national action plan for e-governance, which would require investments worth over Rs 2,500 crores during 2003-2005.