November 19: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India's ruling party, has assured that the monetary assistance of Rs 1 billion pledged by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of Janakpurdham would be provided soon.    
Talking briefly with journalists on his arrival at Janakpurdham in course of a religious visit, BJP Spokesperson Vijay Sonkar Shastri said the relations between Nepal and India dates back to time immemorial. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, Shastri asserted that the Government of India would provide the pledged amount soon.    
The BJP spokesperson also stated that the Ramayana Circuit Railway Scheme also included Janakpurdham.    
During his visit to the Janaki Temple, the priest of the temple Ram Tapeshwor Das suggested Shastri to take initiatives for checking smuggling of cows that is reportedly taking place from Nepal to India, RSS further reported.    
"Killing of cows is banned in Nepal. But cows are slaughtered in India although there are four Shankaracharyas there. This should be stopped. Please, convey my message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the priest of the Janaki temple reportedly told Shastri.

Modi, during his visit to Janakpurdham on May 11, 2018, had announced to provide Rs 1 billion for the development of the city that holds religious and cultural significance for both Nepal and India.