India and Bhutan reviewed the progress of the Government of India’s Project Tied Assistance projects in the 11th Plan at the second project monitoring committee (PMC) meeting in Thimphu on April 26.

Under the GoI Project-tied Assistance for the 11th FYP, 83 projects were identified under various ministries and agencies with a committed allocation of Nu 28 billion.

Out of Nu 28 billion, Nu 16.820 billion has been disbursed to date, which is about 60.07 percent of the total allocation for PTA, according to a press release from the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC). So far 13 projects have been completed and 57 more are expected to complete by June 2018.

The meeting reiterated the need for timely completion of the projects. The Bhutanese delegation expressed satisfaction at the timely and continuous fund releases from GoI under the 11th Five Year Plan.

GNHC secretary Thinley Namgyel led the Bhutanese delegation including senior officials from the foreign affairs ministry and other sectors. The GoI delegation, led by Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian embassy in Thimphu, Esha Srivastava, included officials from the external affairs ministry and other officials from the embassy in Thimphu.

The GoI delegation visited the PTA projects including the expansion of Paro Airport, Construction of Royal Institute of Law in Paro and the Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu.

With their overall commitment of Nu 45 billion to the 11th FYP, India remains Bhutan’s biggest development partner.

Staff Reporter