Working group to explore economic areas of cooperation

Haryana’s chief minister
 (first from right) takes a tour of the
 National Assembly hall

Haryana State Govt. Delegation: A working group, comprising officials from the ministry of economic affairs and the Haryana state government, has started discussions on the possibility of Bhutan selling hydropower to the Indian state.

A MoU was signed on December 15 between the economic affairs secretary Dasho Sonam Tshering and Haryana’s principal secretary of industry YS Malik yesterday, in presence of economic affairs minister Khandu Wangchuk and Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the convention centre in Thimphu.

The working group will also look into other economic areas of cooperation, such as agriculture, livestock, urban planning and infrastructure development.

“With huge power shortage that risks its investment and industry, Haryana state government have requested us to work together to meet their power demand,” lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said, adding that the ministry is planning to work with them soon. “Haryana state has a robust economy, and economic co-operation with them would benefit the local economy.”

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, during the MoU signing, said the signing is a watershed event, and has laid foundation for a relationship that is responsive to each others interests, a relationship that is consultative, and ensures participative and mutually beneficial cooperation. “It provides us the roadmap for future interactions and cooperation,” the chief minister said.

In July this year, when northern India was hit by one of the worst power failures, Haryana, being one of the states, saw millions wake up to no electricity.  Water supply, hospital services, rail and road operations were severely disrupted, along with the business activities.

The peak power demand in Haryana is more than 7,385MW and, with rising urban and industrial demand power supply in the state, mostly from its thermal plants, is insufficient.

The chief minister, during the signing of MoU, also committed 35 scholarships to Bhutan over a period of five years in Haryana University, five for bachelor’s of science and two in bachelor’s in veterinary science.  This will be formalised before the end of February next year.

The delegation from India, led by Haryana chief minister, who were invited by the prime minister, met with Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley yesterday, and also called on agriculture minister Pema Gyamtsho.

The delegation left the country yesterday.