NEW DELHI, Sep 24: India has released Rs. 96 crores (154 crore Nepali rupees) to Nepal towards housing and school sector assistance under the Indian Government’s post-earthquake reconstruction commitment.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in a statement on Thursday stated that Namgya Khampa, the Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of India, handed over a cheque worth 154 crore Nepali rupees to Sishir Kumar Dhungana, Secretary, Ministry of Finance of Nepal.
The aid was in connection with a devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015, claiming lives of over 9,000 people and injuring more than 20,000 others.
The financial support was provided as housing and school sector assistance and would further help in the renovation of educational institutions and houses for the people affected in the natural disaster.
“With this India has reimbursed about $72 million from grant to the Government of Nepal for housing sector reconstruction. Out of Government of India’s commitment to rebuilding 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, 92 per cent of the houses have been completed” the statement said.
Similarly, India has committed support for the reconstruction of 70 schools and one library under $50 million grant assistance. Out of this, the first tranche of $4.2 million for on-going schools was reimbursed to the Government of Nepal, it added.
India has expressed commitment in February 2016 for a $100 million in grant and Line of Credit towards housing sector projects supported by it.
“Government of India remains committed to continuing supporting the people and Government of Nepal in their post-earthquake recovery efforts,” the statement said.
India since then has been providing neighbouring nation support to help rebuild Nepal following the natural disaster and had committed to supporting the reconstruction projects in the Himalayan nation.
Recently Konkan Railway Corp tweeted “Konkan Railway successfully delivers two DEMU train sets to Nepal against order placed by Department of Railway Nepal for a value of Rs. 52.46 crores”. The trains will be used for journeys from Jayanagar to Kurtha providing, better connectivity to citizens.
(Venkatesh Iyer)