Kathmandu, February 12 – Aid projects funded by India in Nepal have ground to a halt this month as New Delhi has asked the king for the release of detained leaders and restoration of multiparty democracy, informed sources say.
India had lately stepped up assistance to Nepal, especially in the education, health and public service sectors, funding a string of schools, projects and libraries from northern to southern Nepal.
In November 2004, for instance, India funded seven projects – tantamount to a project every four days.
These ranged from Nepalese Rs.2.6 million for a school building in remote Mustang district in northern Nepal near the Tibet border to Rs.61.6 million for a school in Rautahat in southern Nepal in the Terai plains.
In December 2004, New Delhi assisted three projects – on an average a project every 10 days.
These included rural electrification in Sarlahi district in the Terai plains, for which New Delhi approved Rs.23.9 million and NRS 46.8 million for schools in Dhanusha district, also in the plains.
This year, in January, there were four projects funded by India – meaning a project every week.
However, no new pacts have been announced this month so far, the sources told IANS.
Propaganda by Nepal’s government-run media says former diplomats and policymakers have welcomed the proclamation by King Gyanendra Feb 1 through which he dismissed the government of prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, assumed power with a nominated council of ministers loyal to the palace and imposed a state of emergency with suspension of fundamental rights.
But statistics show that Nepal’s largest trade partner and one of its biggest donors, India, has not endorsed the royal action.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee has met both King Gyanendra and chief of Nepal’s army Gen. Pyar Jung Thapa since the royal takeover.
The Royal Nepalese Army wants India to continue its security assistance on the ground that it will help it fight Maoist insurgency which, unless checked, could one day threaten entire South Asia.
