Both ruling and opposition parties in incumbent and preceding governments bickered on clauses of NRA Bill and picking their choices in key posts. Dirty politics is obstructing reconstruction works, rued Bhojraj Pokhrel, former chief election commissioner. "Quake-hit people were in need of immediate support to rebuild their houses. It's an injustice to them," said Pokharel.
Winter is approaching closer and people are still living in temporary shelters. Elderly, children and women are vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions.
The government led by Sushil Koirala had issued the ordinance for establishment of NRA. It has also appointed Govind Raj Pokhrel, the then vice chairman of National Planning Commission, as CEO of the authority. But UCPN (Maoist) accused the government of bypassing the parliament. Coalition partner CPN-UML also expressed dissatisfaction on appointments in NRA, stating that they were not consulted beforehand.
Many took the agency, which will oversee reconstruction works over the next five years, as an opportunity. Clash of interests of different parties derailed the process of setting up NRA. Political parties, who were busy making preparation for promulgation of new constitution, simply put the crucial task of forming NRA to kick start reconstruction works on the back-burner.
During International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction (ICNR) held in Kathmandu on June 25, the government expressed commitment to start reconstruction of damaged structures with build-back better concept and restore people's means of livelihoods as soon as possible. Based on government's commitments, international community made assistance commitments of around Rs 400 billion. In the conference, the government told donor communities that the to-be-formed authority will implement reconstruction works in a fast-track mode.
"The government has neither assigned reconstruction works to line agencies, nor expedited process to form NRA," Leela Mani Poudyal, former chief secretary, said. "Quake victims are left to brave harsh winter in temporary shelters as foreign assistance remains idle."
In recent months, Tarai unrest and Indian blockade, which began three months ago, has diverted government's attention. Because of the delay in forming NRA, the government on Thursday assigned reconstruction works to NPC - the apex planning body of the government - until NRA comes into existence.
Unfortunately, even NPC is yet to get full shape after the team led by Pokharel tendered resignation with the formation of new government under KP Oli. Though the government has appointed Yubaraj Khatiwada as the vice chairman, other posts are still vacant.
Political analyst Mumram Khanal said political parties treated sensitive issue of reconstruction like a trivial issue. "They had to treat it as a national issue regardless of whether they are in the government or not," he added.
Former chief secretary Poudyal said reconstruction works would have made at least some progress had the works been assigned to line agencies.
Many had expected that the economy will rebound after the earthquake once construction works gain pace. They had hoped reconstruction works will create new jobs and check the trend of youth heading to foreign job destinations for at least some years.
Khanal fears donor agencies will withdraw from the reconstruction process if reconstruction work does not begin anytime soon. "NPC should at least start preparatory works for reconstruction until the reconstruction authority comes into being," added Pokhrel.
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