(a) whether the Union Government has decided to assist Bhutan in certain projects;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the projects covered thereunder;
(d) whether these projects will help in inviting cooperation from Indian companies; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) A Statement is placed on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN THE ANSWER TO THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1603 TO BE ANSWERED
ON 3.8.2005 ON `ASSISTANCE TO BHUTAN`
1. India and Bhutan share a long tradition of mutually beneficial economic cooperation and partnership. For Bhutan`s Ninth Five Year Plan (July 2002-June 2007) Government of India has committed financial assistance of Rs. 734 crore for specific projects. The broad sectors covered include power, roads, health, human resources development, civil aviation, telecommunications and IT.
2. Government of India is also implementing high investment mega projects in Bhutan, which includes 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project and Dungsum Cement Plant.
3. Under the Project Implementation Mechanism agreed between the two Governments, only Indian and Bhutanese companies or Indo-Bhutanese Joint Ventures are eligible to execute projects. A large number of Indian companies are involved in executing projects in Bhutan. These include WAPCOS, NHPC, BHEL, Jaiprakash Industries, Hindustan Construction Company, Larsen and Tubro, Powergrid Corporation of India and Bharat Petroleum.