Two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed on August 9, 2007 by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu with the concerned District Development Committees and beneficiary organizations for (a) providing grant assistance of NRs.7.71 million for construction of new building for Nepal-Bharat Pediatric Health Centre in Tribhuvannagar Municipality, Ghorahi in district Dang and (b) for providing grant assistance of NRs.7.4 million for construction of new building for Shree Shanti Secondary School in Arukhora VDC of district Arghakhanchi.
Presently, the people of district Dang and adjoining districts of Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Pyuthan have to go to Nepalgunj, Butwal or Kathmandu, or even to Lucknow, for good quality pediatric healthcare. The new 10-bed double storied building of the Nepal-Bharat Pediatric Health Centre in Ward No.1 of Tribhuvannagar Municipality in Ghorahi, Dang being constructed with the Indian assistance will significantly contribute towards good quality emergency, pathological, maternity and pediatric services for entire Rapti Zone.
Shree Shanti Secondary School of Arunkhora VDC of district Arghakhanchi was established in 1962 as a primary school and upgraded to lower secondary level in 1998. Later, the school was upgraded to secondary level in 1992. Presently, the school has more than 600 students (of which 53% are girls) studying in the school. The new double storied building being constructed with the assistance of Government of India will provide the school with improved infrastructure to cater to the needs of growing number of students.
Under the MOUs, the projects will be implemented by the concerned DDCs, while separate oversight committees consisting of representatives from the relevant beneficiary organizations and local development and administrative authorities will be constituted to ensure community participation in overseeing the projects for their effective and timely implementation.
While the school project is the first one with the Indian assistance in district Arghakhanchi, the Pediatric Health Centre is among three development projects undertaken by the Government of India in district Dang in recent years. Beside this, Government of India has gifted three ambulances to different organizations in District Dang, while one ambulance has been gifted to district Arghakhanchi. Overall, these are part of more than 230 large and small projects currently being implemented under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme in the sectors of education, health, community development and infrastructure covering all the districts of Nepal with an outlay of over NRs.21 billions.
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