Kathmandu: In a major assistance commitment India has pledged to provide Rs 205 million to renovate 14 MW Devighat Hydro Power station located in central Nepal and construction of 1,000 shallow tube wells in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts in southern Nepal.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Indian Ambassador Shiv Shanker Mukherjee and Finance Secretary Vidyadhar Mallik at the Finance Ministry today.

Under the rehabilitation of Devighat Power Plant project, India will provide grant assistance of Rs 150 million for the rehabilitation of the 14 MW Devighat Hydro Plant located in Nuwakot district, which was constructed under Indian assistance in 1983-84.

Besides this India has also offered to provide grant assistance for the development of 250 MW Naumure Storage Project for domestic power supply in Nepal.

Under the shallow tube well project, India will provide grant assistance of Rs 55 million for the development of 500 shallow tube wells each in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts.

This will provide irrigation to over 3,000 hectares of land and would help uplift the socio-economic status of farmers by augmenting the production of wheat, rice and seasonal fruits and vegetables, a press release issued by the Indian Embassy said.

India will continue to support the Nepalese people in their endeavours for the development of new Nepal after the historic election of April 10, Ambassador Mukherjee said. India will remain with you as partner in progress, he added.
Source : PTI