Cabinet approves MoU signed with Bhutan

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, FEB 20

Haryana Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of  the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here today ratified the minutes of the meetings signed between Government of Haryana and the Royal Government of Bhutan and also approved the future road map as enunciated in the said minutes.

          It may be recalled that a Haryana Government delegation was deputed to visit Bhutan from November 19 to 23, 2012 for mutual cooperation and economic engagement. This was followed by visit of an official delegation from Royal Government of Bhutan to Haryana from December 9 to 10, 2012. As a result of these visits, strong possibilities of economic cooperation emerged between the two sides. Thereafter, the Chief Minister accepted the invitation of Prime Minister of Bhutan and led a State Government delegation to Bhutan from December 14 to 15. The delegation of Haryana had in-depth discussion with Minister-incharge for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Economic Affairs, Bhutan, Mr Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and Minister for Agriculture and Forest, Mr Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho on identified areas of cooperation including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Livestock, Energy, Industrial Infrastructure and Investment and Urban Planning and Development sectors for mutual benefits. Chief Minister also called on Prime Minister of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Chief Minister also had an audience with the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk on December 15, 2012 who indicated his full support to economic cooperation between the two sides.

          This visit had led to in-principle mutual agreements for mutual cooperation between the two sides. The principles and areas of cooperation between the two sides have been enshrined in the minutes of meetings which were signed in Thimpu on December 15, 2012 by Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Haryana, Mr Y. S. Malik on behalf of Government of Haryana and by Dasho Sonam Tshering, Secretary, Economic Affairs on behalf of Royal Government of Bhutan in the presence of Chief Minister, Haryana, Indian Ambassador and the Minister-incharge of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.

          It was agreed that both Governments shall explore possibilities of cooperation in Hydro Power Sector with intention of Haryana Government undertaking investments in Hydropower generation in Bhutan and receiving power from it through long-term power purchase agreements and power trading arrangements, within the respective laws, policies and rules and regulations. The agreement would be for hydropower generation in Bhutan, over and above the 10,000 MW already contracted between Royal Government of Bhutan and Government of India.

          The Chief Minister had announced reservation of five seats in the B.Sc. Agriculture Course in CCSHAU, Hisar and two seats for B.V.Sc. Course in Animal Sciences and Veterinary University of the State at Hisar for the Bhutanese nationals sponsored by the Royal Government of Bhutan for five years. The Chief Minister also announced that State Government would bear the tuition fee for these students.

          It is for the first time that an Indian State has taken this kind of initiative