On behalf of Ambassador of India, the project of solar electrification of village Nangkholyang in Taplejung District was formally inaugurated and handed over by the Defence Attaché Col MS Dhanoa, Embassy of India to the Gaon Upbhokta Samiti at Village Nangkholyang, District Taplejung, on 13 March 2008. Senior local officials of Government of Nepal community leaders and representatives from all walks of life were present on this occasion.

VDC Nangkholyang in District Taplejung has started obtaining electricity using one of the most modern and environmentally clean sources of electricity. This project was implemented with assistance from the Government of India at a cost of NRs 12.43 million. Under this scheme, 249 homes in village Nangkholyang in District Taplejung have started receiving light from the home lighting systems using Sun light. Each of the homes has received a solar panel, a maintenance free battery and home lighting system of 75 Watts, consisting of four lighting sets of 12 Watts each. This is the seventh year running, when a solar electrification project has been successfully executed. Last year, similar solar electrification projects with total budget of NRs 34.54 million, were executed in village Jaljala in District Tehrathum. So far Government of India has successfully executed twelve solar electrification projects throughout Nepal. This has given an impetus for such projects in future.

The project was executed by the Central Electronics Ltd., Ghaziabad, India a Public Sector Undertaking of Government of India, in close coordination with the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) under the Ministry of Science & Technology of GON. During execution of this project, a Gaon Upbhokta Samiti (Village Consumer Committee) was constituted and involved in all stages of the project. For subsequent maintenance and upkeep of these systems, a pool of six personnel from the village has been trained by the Central Electronics Ltd. In addition, a corpus has been created by local contribution, which has been invested in the local banks and its interest will be utilized for subsequent maintenance of the system. Management of the corpus fund will be the responsibility of the Gaon Upbhokta Samiti constituted to oversee this project.

Government of India is aware that for a nation’s economic progress, it is important to focus on developing three key sectors, namely education, health and infrastructure. India is committed to contribute to the development of its friendly neighbours by sharing its experience and extending co-operation in these vital sectors.

Therefore, as a manifestation of the bond of friendship between the people of India and the people of Nepal, Government of India has remained firmly committed to bilateral economic co-operation for the benefit of Nepal’s development. Through this important co-operation project in the area of infrastructure, Government of India reiterates its commitment to the people of Nepal for strengthening the bonds of economic co-operation.