January 07, 2002

    A delegation led by Minister of Fisheries and Ocean of Canada, Mr. Herb Dhaliwal called on Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Coal and Mines here today.

    During the courtesy call the Canadian Minister was informed in detail about the coal sector and specially the Rajmahal Coal Mines Expansion Plan. Canada has agreed to provide 85 per cent of the expenditure of the Expansion Plan estimated at about 350 million dollars. Government of India is negotiating to pursue Canadian Government to support 100 per cent of the expenditure.

    Mr. Dhaliwal expressed his willingness to co-operate with India in Coal & Mines sector and obtained detailed information about mine sector also. A working group is already in operation between India and Canada in the coal sector. Feasibility of similar working group in mines sector was also discussed.