Nepal and India discussed on the issues related to cooperation on water resources along with agreeing to expedite the water and power projects at the first meeting of the Nepal- India Joint Ministerial Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR) held in New Delhi, India on February 15, 2012.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to expedite the setting up of Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA) at the earliest for implementation of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.

Similarly, both sides agreed to expedite the completion of DPR of Sapta Kosi High Dam Multipurpose Project and Sun Kosi Storage cum Diversion Scheme by February 2013 along with strengthening the Joint Project Office adequately.

The meeting also discussed on the possibility of facilitating duty free movement of materials and equipment to Nepal for the repair and maintenance works under Gandak Project through appropriate arrangement while two countries will cooperate in flood management.

The meeting also recommended that the maintenance of 15 km length of eastern Kosi embankment presently being maintained by Nepal, that may also be taken up by the India.

India has also agreed to export 75 MW additional powers to Nepal in the next six months along with exploring the possibility of expediting the strengthening work for export of some quantum of power to Nepal at the earliest.

JMCWR also recommended that the finalisation of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Cross Border Interconnection for Electric Power Trade Agreement proposed by Nepal including a second cross border transmission line for joint development be expedited.

The meeting was jointly led by Minister for Energy Posta Bahadur Bogati and Minister for Irrigation Mahendra Prasad Yadav from Nepal while Union Minister of Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal from India. nepalnews.com