However, he has been left utterly disappointed as none have answers to his questions. "I have asked these questions to the VDC sectary and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the village," said Gurung. "But instead of giving proper explanation, all they say is that the local bodies will distribute the grants after the government provides them," he added.
He further added that such answers neither serve any purpose nor clear doubts of the quake victims. The government authorities themselves are clueless about such queries of the victims.
Not just Gurung, every local of the quake-ravaged village wants to know about the government's reconstruction plans and how and when it will implement them. However, the district's head, VDC secretaries and the NGOs are all unable to address their curiosities.
Authorities, local communities pledge to help in Dharahara reco...
"Lots of people come to us and ask when the reconstruction grant of Rs 200,000 would be available," said Assistant Chief District Officer Deependra Poudel. "But we ourselves do not have the answer. All we say is that the government is making arrangements and it would take place soon," he added.
The offices of District Development Committee and VDCs have posters of what type of houses should be built. However, most of the locals are ignorant about it. And none have answers regarding the cost and who would bear it.
"Those locals who have not built their houses are worried about the government-promised reconstruction grant. Those who are building their houses are worried that it may not be quake-resistant," said Shyam Kishor Singh, chief of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. "They are very confused about the grant and methodology for building quake-resistant houses. We have been informing them what we know."
The catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks destroyed around 60,000 houses in the district alone, the quake's epicenter. Many victims are still living under tarpaulins and makeshift houses.
