India gives Rs 116 million to Nepal

Kathmandu, June 21 (UNI) Indian government has provided Rs 116 million for the control of goitre and iodine deficiency disorder in Nepal during the year 2006-07.

Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukharjee launched a project for the Control of Goitre and Iodine Deficiency Disorder in Nepal being implemented by Salt Trading Corporation.

India would help Nepal in its economic development, Mr Mukherjee said.

He said India has been providing assistance for the development of the health, education and infrastructure sector in Nepal and aims to assist additional number of development projects in Nepal.

India had been involved in 139 similar projects in 69 districts of Nepal with an outlay of Rs 1800 crores, he added.

Director general of the Department of Health Services Dr Mahendra Bahadur Bista said the number of people having access to iodized salt has been going up.

Indian government has been associated with the Goitre Control Programme in Nepal since 1973. A total Indian assistance amounting to Rs 516.8 Million has been disbursed for various activities related with addressing iodine deficiency in the country from 1973 to 2005.

UNI XC SI VA DS1255