Question : DEMARCATION OF INDO NEPAL BORDER

(a) whether India and Nepal have finalised a preliminary survey work to identify areas where permanent pillars would be constructed along the border in Sikkim sector;

(b) if so, whether the demarcation of the border between the two countries was necessitated in the absence of any proper boundary pillars in Sikkim;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the 24th Joint technical level Indo-Nepal boundary committee meeting was held at Kathmandu in September 2001;

(e) if so, the details of discussions held and the outcome thereof;

(f) whether the issues relating to Indo-Nepal borders of Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim were discussed in the meeting;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and (h) the steps being taken to implement them?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c) In Sikkim Sector, the India-Nepal Boundary follows a well defined geographical feature i.e. the water-shed along the Singaleela Range. Boundary Pillars are being erected only at places where the water-shed is not clearly discernible.

(d) Yes, Sir.

(e), (f), (g) & (h)

Various matters for completion of tasks relating to identification of the boundary alignment, preparation of boundary strip maps and renumbering of boundary pillars in a sequential manner from east to west were discussed and the programme for various Indo-Nepal Boundary Tasks to be under taken during 2001-02 was finalized. Work is in progress along the Indo-Nepal Boundary in Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal sectors.