Consulate General of India

Birgunj, Nepal

Consualte General of India
Birgunj (Nepal)

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PRESS RELEASE

Handing Over of LPG Gas Stoves & Cylinders in Sarlahi District by Government of India

Consul General of India Shri Nitesh Kumar and President of Nepal-India Women Friendship Society (NIFWS) Smt. Chanda Chaudhary handed over the LPG Gas Stoves & Cylinders in Kaudena Rural Municipality of Sarlahi district on 19 April 2023. A total of 3000 sets of LPG stoves and 14.2 Kg cylinders and other accessories like regulators and pipes are gifted by Government of India to underprivileged families of the districts of Sarlahi, Rautahat and Saptari. Approximately, 1000 sets each are being distributed in the three districts. 

Member of Provincial Assembly Shri Kaushal Kishor Rai, Mayor of Kaudena Shri Rupesh Kumar Yadav, CDO Shri Indra Deo Yadav, eminent local leaders, journalists and other stakeholders graced the occasion.

The families have been identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) list in coordination with District Administration Office (DAO) and local level. Social welfare councils have also been roped in for distribution process. Government of India has approved Nepalese rupees Two Crore Four Lakh Ninety Thousand for this purpose.

Consul General congratulated the beneficiaries and noted that the use of traditional cooking fuel is detrimental to the health of rural women and the environment. The gifting of these LPG gas stoves & cylinders reflected the continued support of India to Nepal.

NIWFS President Smt. Chanda Chaudhary thanked the Government of India (GoI) for its continued developmental support to the women. Distribution of these LPG gas stoves, gas cylinders and accessories will replace the use of traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, etc. which produce heavy smoke and cause health hazards. 

The gifting of stoves & cylinders is one of the 75 projects being inaugurated this year in Nepal as part of “India@75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. The Project is inspired by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) of Government of India which is a flagship scheme with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels.

Since 2003, India has taken up over 523 HICDPs in Nepal on various sector Health, Education, Drinking Water & Irrigation, Electrification, etc. and has completed 467 projects. Amongst these, 81 projects have been undertaken in Province-2, including 19 projects in Sarlahi; 5 projects in Rautahat and 9 projects in Saptari Districts. In addition to these, 87 ambulances to various health posts and 3 school buses have been gifted in these three districts by Government of India.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of this project reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal upliftment of its people.

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Birgunj, Nepal
19 April 2023