Q. 2664 Delay in commencement of medicalfacilities in Sri Lanka

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

(a) the reasons for the delay in commencement of the project for which project consultants had been appointed way back in 2003;
(b) in what manner this inordinate delay has affected our bilateral relations with Sri Lanka;
(c) whether Government would fix responsibility for the delay;
(d) the other health related projects that India had undertaken to execute in Sri Lanka and which have been similarly delayed; and
(e) the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (c) Although the project was conceived in 2003, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Government of Sri Lanka only in April 2008 after detailed discussions on the project parameters. Subsequently, the contract agreement was signed in March 2011 with the implementing agency after following the due process of tendering and necessary approvals. The project site, which is located in hilly terrain, was cleared of encumbrances by the Government of Sri Lanka, and the foundation stone was laid in July 2011. The Civil structural works have been completed and the hospital is expected to be handed over by September 2013.

(d) to (e) As per available information there has been no delay in the execution of various health related projects, including supply of medical equipment and organization of artificial limb fitment camps, that have been taken up by the Government in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

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