SARBHANG

Bhutan-India development talks 1 November, 2009 - To avoid delays in the implementation of hydropower projects, the government of India (GoI) has committed to speed up road construction, which connect various hydropower project sites.

Top on the list is to improve the Gelephu –Santabari (Assam) road, which is a vital link for mega hydro projects like Punatshangchu I and II, Chamkarchhu I and Mangdechu projects.

This was one of the main issues the two governments agreed during the second annual consultation of the Bhutan – India Development Talks, which was held in Thimphu from October 28 - 30.

The annual talks review progress of various projects under the GoI assistance, discuss and resolve implementation of projects issues.

For Bhutan’s 10 Plan, the GoI has committed Nu 34 billion. Of the total, Nu 20 billion is under the Project Tied Assistance (PTA), Nu 7 billion under the programme grant and Nu 7 billion for small development projects.

According to the GNH secretary, Karma Tshiteem, 9 percent of the Nu 34 billion has been released so far. “It has taken some time but now development activities will really pick up,” said the secretary.

The project-tied assistance covers infrastructure development activities such as construction of roads, school building, energy, livestock and marketing, health and education, urban development and transport and construction of judiciary and constitutional offices.

The two governments agreed that the expenses incurred for compiling the detailed project report for projects under the Hydro-Electric Project would now be under the PTA. It was also agreed that timely release of funds was important to implement projects on time.

Both the governments also agreed to hold the first Small Development Projects Committee meeting by the first week of November. The committee will consider and approve the projects, relating to rural development proposed by local governments.

The agreement was signed yesterday between the foreign secretary Daw Penjo and the Joint Secretary, (North) of the ministry of external affairs, India, Satish C Metha.

By Sonam Pelden in Kuensel

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