India offers total grant assistance worth Rs.90,46,898/- for two school projects in Darchula and Kanchanpur districts in far western region

Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed today by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with (a) the District Development Committee, Darchula and Shree Pashupati Shiksha Mandir, Khalanga, Darchula, (b) the District Development Committee, Kanchanpur and Shree Ghatal Secondary School, Suda, Kanchanpur. Under the Economic Cooperation Programme, Government of India will be providing a grant of NRs. 50,10,560/- for the construction of school building and boundary wall for Shree Pashupati Shiksha Mandir, Khalanga, Darchula and NRs. 40,36,338/- for the construction of school building and provision of furniture for Shree Ghatal Secondary School, Suda, Kanchanpur.

Monitoring committees have been constituted for each project consisting of representatives from school management committees and local district administration of Darchula and Kanchanpur to oversee the projects, supervise the construction work and ensure proper utilization of the cooperation grant.

These two projects would be first India-Nepal Cooperation projects in Darchula and Kanchanpur districts in the Far Western Development Region and would immediately benefit a total of 1301 students who have been presently studying out of tin-roofed houses and huts.

These projects form part of 160 projects currently being implemented under the India-Nepal Cooperation Programme in 65 districts of Nepal in the priority areas 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