(a) whether the Government have decided to collaborate with Austria for rapid
development of hydro-electric capacity in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is a proposal to constitute a joint-working group comprising of
officials from both the countries in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (d) : The Government of Austria has expressed willingness to share its
technical expertise in the development of hydro power potential in India. During the
meeting of the Union Minister of Power with the Austrian Minister for Economic Affairs
and Labour on 21.5.2001, it was agreed by both sides that a Joint Working Group should
be set up within the frame-work of the Indo-Austrian Joint Economic Commission to deal
specifically with issues relating to Indo-Austrian Cooperation in Energy and Power sector
with the areas of cooperation to be mutually settled.