NRs. 4.28 CRORE INDIAN ASSISTANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR SCHOOLS IN MAHOTTARI, BARA, GULMI AND DADELDHURA

The following four Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed on November 14, 2006 by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with: a) the District Development Committee, Mahottari and Shree Ram Secondary School, Matihani, Mahottari b) the District Development Committee, Bara and Shree Kankali Secondary School, Simarangadh, Bara, c) the District Development Committee, Gulmi and Shree Resunga Secondary School, Tamghas, Gulmi and d) the District Development Committee, Dadeldhura and Shree Mahendra Higher Secondary School, Khalanga, Dadeldhura. Under the MoUs, Government of India will be providing a grant of NRs. 2,54,59,996/-/- for the construction of school building for Shree Ram Secondary School, Matihani, Mahottari, NRs.33,09,774/- for construction of school building for Shree Kankali Secondary School, Simarangadh, Bara, NRs.81,29,658/- for construction of school building, toilet block, compound wall & furniture for Shree Resunga Secondary School, Tamghas, Gulmi and NRs.59,09,191/- for construction of school building for Shree Mahendra Higher Secondary School, Khalanga, Dadeldhura.

These four projects, which include the first educational project in District Bara, Gulmi & Dadeldhura and fourth project in District Mahottari under the India-Nepal Cooperation Programme, are expected to greatly contribute to the development of education in these areas by providing improved infrastructure for learning. Monitoring committees have been constituted for each project consisting of representatives from school management committees and local district administration of Mahottari, Bara, Gulmi and Dadeldhura to oversee the projects, supervise the construction work and ensure proper utilization of the cooperation grant.

These projects are yet another example of the growing economic cooperation between India and Nepal and form part of about 160 projects being implemented under the India-Nepal Cooperation Programme in 65 districts of Nepal in the field of education, health and infrastructure with an outlay of NRs.2000 crores. The success of the Small Development Project Scheme has encouraged the Government of India to triple its commitment under it, so enunciated during the visit of Prime Minister of Nepal in June, 2006 .

Government of India's commitment to strengthening and diversifying relations with Nepal through economic cooperation is steadfast and will be intensified further in the coming months