(a) whether the government has received any request from the Government of Nepal or from
the Lumbini Development National Directive Committee (LDNDC) seeking India’s cooperation/
assistance to complete the ambitious project to renovate Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord
Buddha in Nepal;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken by the Union Government in this regard.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) & (b) While the government has not received any proposal from the Government of Nepal or
Lumbini Development National Directive Committee (LDNDC) for renovation of Lumbini, a specific
request has been received from the Lumbini Development Trust, headed by the Minister of Culture,
Government of Nepal for assistance for the construction of the U Thant auditorium in Lumbini,
which is a part of the Master Plan for the development of Lumbini.
(c) Government of India has proposed a MoU to the government of Nepal on the construction of
the Auditorium.