Finland grants Rs 261.24 million for peace trust fund

The government of Finland has agreed to provide a grant assistance of about Rs 261.24 million for the Nepal Peace Trust Fund.

The agreement to this effect was signed between the the respective governments at the Ministry of Finance, on Monday.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Krishna Gyawali and Charge de' Affairs at Embassy of Finland Pirkko-Liisa Kyostila signed the agreement.

The Nepal Peace Trust Fund has been established to support the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

The Peace Fund provides mechanism to channel and coordinate resources in five areas -- management of Maoist cantonments and reintegration of former combatants, rehabilitation of internally displaced people, election of Constituent Assembly, strengthening of law and order and police administration, and support to the peace process.

Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the government of the Finland for this assistance and continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

Earlier, the Britain had deposited Rs 316.18 million in the fund, Swiss government Rs. 53.91 million and Denmark Rs. 121.06 million.

Norway had agreed to provide Rs 130 million but the amount has not been yet deposited, said the Finance Ministry.

According to the Deputy Comptroller of the Finance Ministry Basudev Dahal, around Rs. 57.9 million is being sanctioned for the Maoists every month.

The fund has to bear more as the government recently decided to provide salary to the Maoist combatants. Some five countries have agreed to provide Rs 905.24 million for the fund.