The Ninth Plan Talks between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India
The Ninth Plan Talks between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the ย Government of India was held in Thimphu today (5th April 2013). The Bhutanese delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji and the Indian delegation was led by Shri Akhilesh Mishra, Joint Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
During the Talks, the two sides reviewed the progress of the projects funded by the Government of India in the 10th FYP. Of the Rs. 34 billion committed to the Royal Government for the Plan period, Rs. 20 billion is being used as Project Tied Assistance (PTA) to finance 69 different projects in the various sectors. Under the Small Development Project (SDP), Rs. 7 billion has been committed to finance 1899 small projects identified by the local governments. Most of the projects under PTA and SDP are in the final stage of completion and thus far, a fund disbursement of about 90% has been achieved. The balance funds are expected to be released by the Government of India before the end of the Plan period.
The two sides also discussed the proposal for the Government of Indiaโs assistance to the Bhutan in the Eleventh Five Year Plan which will commence from July 2013.