India's assistance to Nepal totals Rs 262 crores

New Delhi, Dec 7: The Government today said a total of Rs 262.49 crore had been provided as assistance to the Nepalese Government during the past five years as also Rs 14.18 crore given by the Union Water Resources Ministry.

The funds given by the Indian Government to Nepal for the latter's development was showing a rising trend every year from Rs 39.5 crore in 2001-02 to Rs 59 crore in 2005-06, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

However, the assistance given by the Indian government was project based and not meant for distribution in areas where citizens of Indian origin resided, he told the House.

To a supplementary regarding review of the funds given, the Minister replied ''we can draw the attention of the Nepalese Government but it was up to them to decide how the funds were to be utilised.''

UNI