Kathmandu: The Indian, Nepali Governments and the Salt Trading Corporation Ltd. signed an agreement to control goiter Monday, the Indian Embassy said

Aambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Finance Secretary Bhanunu Prasad Acharya and Laxmi Das Manandhar, Director, Salt Trading Corporation Ltd. signed on behalf of the Corporation.

The Goiter Control Programme will be implemented by the Salt Trading Corporation Ltd. The total cost of the programme for the calendar year 2005 is Rs 80 million.

The Government of India assistance will be available in the form of subsidies under the heads iodisation, packing, transportation and advocacy. India has already provided assistance of Rs 437 millions to Nepal through STC for the Goiter Control Programme in Nepal from 1973 to 1998.