Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed over a cheque of Rs 17. 25 million as an advance payment out of total assistance of Rs 69 million to the secretary, ministry of commerce and supplies, Nepal for launching the iodine deficiency disorder control programme (IDDCP), a statement by the Indian Embassy here said.
The IDDCP, earlier known as Goitre Control Programme, was signed under the financial assistance of government of India, on August 3, 2014 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal.
India had so far provided grant assistance of Rs 686 million to the Salt Trading Corporation of Nepal for the control of Goitre and other iodine deficiency disorders in Nepal during 1973-1998, 2004-07, 2009-14 in the form of subsidy for re-iodisation of salt, packing, transportation, and advocacy.