Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the government has received any request from the Government of Nepal or from the Lumbini Development National Directive Committee (LDNDC) seeking India’s cooperation/ assistance to complete the ambitious project to renovate Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the action taken by the Union Government in this regard.

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) While the government has not received any proposal from the Government of Nepal or Lumbini Development National Directive Committee (LDNDC) for renovation of Lumbini, a specific request has been received from the Lumbini Development Trust, headed by the Minister of Culture, Government of Nepal for assistance for the construction of the U Thant auditorium in Lumbini, which is a part of the Master Plan for the development of Lumbini.

(c) Government of India has proposed a MoU to the government of Nepal on the construction of the Auditorium.

http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/psearch/QResult15.aspx?qref=141394.

Miscellaneous

South Asia