GoI’s assistance in Bhutan’s 11th plan discussed during the 10th plan meeting

The 10th Plan Talks between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RG0B) and the Government of lndia (GoI) was held in Thimphu yesterday.

The Bhutanese delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji and the lndian delegation was led by Shri Akhilesh Mishra, Joint Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

During the Talks, the two sides reviewed the progress of the projects funded by the Government of lndia in the 10th FYP.

Of the Rs. 34 bn committed to the Government of Bhutan for the Plan period, Rs. 20bn is being used as Project Tied Assistance (PTA) to finance 69 different projects in the various sectors.

Under the Small Development Project (SDP), Rs. 7bn has been committed to finance 1,899 small projects identified by the local governments. Most of the projects under PTA and SDP are in the final stage of completion and thus far, a fund disbursement of about 90% has been achieved.

A news release from the foreign ministry (MoFA), stated the balance funds are expected to be released by the Government of lndia before the end of the Plan period.

The two sides also discussed the proposal for the Government of India’s assistance to Bhutan in the 11th Five Year Plan which will commence from July 2013.