February 3: The Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Pavan K. Varma, handed over a cheque of around Nu. 400 million to Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley today. The amount is as 30% mobilisation advance for the implementation of the first lot of 441 Small Development Projects (SDPs).

As part of assistance to the 10th Five-Year Plan, the Government of India allocated Nu. 7 billion for the SDPs in the key socio-economic areas, which are short gestation, community-oriented and impact lives of a wider cross section of the society.

The first lot of 441 projects worth more than Nu. 1,300 million in areas of drinking water supply, health, education, construction of administrative offices and community hall, roads, bridges, culture, irrigation channels and Renewable Natural Resource Centres covering all the 20 districts of Bhutan were identified in the first meeting of the Small Project Development Committee in Thimphu in November last year.

The committee comprises members from the royal government and the Embassy of India.

On the occasion the Prime Minister said the assistance goes entirely towards project that will be implemented in all 205 Geogs and will address the specific need of the grassroots in the country.