The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has given a deadline of mid-Kartik to the earthquake victims who have not been able to build private houses so far. The decision was taken at the 19th meeting of the committee chaired by Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Reconstruction Authority Board of Director KP Sharma Oli on Thursday.
The NEA has decided to extend the time limit as the victim has not taken the second and third instalment due to various reasons including the Covid 19 epidemic. In addition, the remaining reconstruction works are to be completed within the first four months of the coming Fiscal Year 2078/79. The committee formed on Paush 14, 2072 is in the final stage of its office. Earlier, NEA had set a target of completing all its works by the end of this fiscal year.
The meeting also decided to provide housing to the earthquake victims who have been constructed but not completed but have not received any instalment so far through technical inspection and improvement as much as possible.
The meeting also decided to hold the proposed International Conference on Reconstruction of Nepal on Mangsir 21-23, i.e., December 7-9.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Oli said that it was not in the minds of human beings to know when and how a natural calamity would strike and only preparations could be made to prevent human and material damage from it. He said that different preparations should be made for the land, air, water and fire.
Stating that the settlements along the river are always at risk, he said that every earthquake would create new glaciers and cause old ones to explode. Therefore, risk mitigation should be done by looking at tge past geography, past and future events to face the disaster, he said.
In the meeting, it has been proposed that an autonomous body be required for disaster management after the expiration of the term of NEA and also to set up a reason center on natural disasters including earthquakes. NEA has also proposed to build an earthquake museum in the former Tasker building in Dharahara area.
According to the information given in meeting, out of the total 88,282 beneficiaries whose houses were damaged, 99.36 percent have taken the first instalment and 88.62 percent have taken the second.
He also said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has been made the first risk mapping of the entire earthquake-affected district.
By Muna Chand
