Indian cooperation grant of NRs.1,15,45,463/- for Shree Saraswati Higher Secondary School, Gete, Kailali, NRs.93,06,394/-for Shree Faud Singh Janata Secondary School, Ranigunj, Sarlahi

The following two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed today by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with: a) the District Development Committee, Kailali and Shree Saraswati Higher Secondary School, Geta, Kailali; and b) the District Development Committee, Sarlahi and Shree Faud Singh Janata Secondary School, Ranigunj, Sarlahi . Under the MoUs, Government of India will be providing a grant of NRs. 1,15,45,463/- for the construction of school building for Shree Saraswati Higher Secondary School at Geta, Kailali and NRs. 93,06,394/- for the construction of school building and boundary wall for Shree Faud Singh Janata Secondary School at Ranigunj, Sarlahi.

These two projects, which include the first educational project in District Kailali and sixth project in District Sarlahi (including one rural electrification project), 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 Kailali and Sarlahi 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.