However, he has been left in the dark as no one has been able to answer his questions. "I have put my questions to the VDC secretary and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the VDC," said Gurung. "Instead of giving us proper information, all they say is the local bodies will distribute the grants after the funds come through from the government and that the rebuilt houses should be quake-resistant," he added.He further said that their answers serve no purpose. The government authorities themselves are clueless how to answer such queries.
And not just Gurung, every local in the quake-ravaged villages wants to know about the government's reconstruction plans and how and when these will be implemented.
"Lots of people come to us and ask when the reconstruction grant of Rs 200,000 would become available," said Assistant Chief District Officer Deependra Poudel. "But we ourselves do not know. All we can say is that the government is making arrangements and reconstruction will take place soon," he added.
The offices of the district development committee and the VDCs have put up posters on what type of houses should be built. However, most locals do not know about this. And no one has any answer regarding the costs and who would pay.
"Locals who have not built their houses are worried when the government's reconstruction grant would come. Those who are already rebuilding are worried that the new structures may not be quake-resistant," said Shyam Kishor Singh, chief of Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. "They are very confused about the grant and about quake-resistant construction. We have been telling them what we know."
The catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have destroyed around 60,000 houses in Gorkha district alone. Many victims are still living under tarpaulins and makeshift shelters.
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