Mr. Gyanveer Singh, Second Secretary in the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Mr. Rajesh Poudel, Local Development Officer, Jumla and Mr. Bishnu Bahadur Budthapa, Chairman, User Committee Chandannath Municipality, Jumla recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for reconstruction and renovation of the small hydro power plant at Chandannath Municipality in the presence of the Hon’ble MP Mr. Lalit Jung Shahi.
The project estimated to cost Rs 26.37 million, would be funded by the Government of India under its Small Development Programme Scheme as part of India–Nepal Economic Cooperation Program.
It must be noted that the power plant was built in 1983 by the Nepal Electricity Authority. However, it suffered damage during the insurgency and was operating at sub-optimal capacity resulting in frequent power cuts and electricity problems in the municipality. At the request of the User Committee, the Government of India is supporting reconstruction and renovation of the power-plant that will benefit more than 20,000 people.
The Government of India has extended financial assistance of approx. Rs 500 million towards renovation, restoration, upgradation of various sites of religious, educational, cultural and historical importance in Nepal in FY2015-2016. The India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program has an outlay of over Rs 76 billion. Under this program, the GoI has completed or is pursuing more than 533 projects in almost all districts of Nepal. These development projects executed in partnership with Government of Nepal are mainly in sectors like education, health, infrastructure that have been undertaken in response to local needs.