The Government of India has agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs. 116.0 million to the Government of Nepal for "Control of Goitre and Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Nepal" for the year 2006-07.

The grant assistance is meant for controlling goitre and iodine deficiency disorders through the distribution of iodized salt. The grant assistance will be used to iodize and package common salt, and subsidize the transportation cost. In addition, the advocacy programme will be carried out explaining the benefits of the use of iodized salt. The Government of India has rendered its assistance for this purpose from 1973 to 1998. After a break of about seven years, the grant assistance has been resumed since 2005.

Dr. Bhoj Raj Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and His Excellency Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Kingdom of Nepal signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

The Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of India for this assistance and for the keen interest and continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.