National Planning Commission (NPC) had made a presentation on the proposed body to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala two weeks ago.
Officials involved in preparation of law for the body, which will be in the form of ordinance, say they are not clear about the structure of the agency yet."Multiple modalities are in discussions. We, however, have not finalized the modality," an NPC source told Republica, adding that the powerful body could be an authority, a high-level commission or a council.
Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) Raju Man Singh Malla said that they have submitted a draft report of the law which is under consideration at the political level. But he denied to disclose details.
Delay in formation of a powerful body is also likely to impact the International Donors' Conference which has been scheduled for June 25.
The government has planned to form the body before the conference. The government intends to collect resources for rebuilding from donor agencies by convincing them about the capacity of implementing agencies
"As the issue is still under discussion, it would be immature to talk about it," Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya said.
Sources say the issue of reconstruction should be decided on consensus basis now as political parties have already agreed on major components of the new constitution. Among others, the issue of leadership of the implementing agency, which will mobilize at least Rs 666 billion over the next four or five years, is still undecided.
However, Minister for Industry Mahesh Basnet said it has already been decided that the PM-led body will have a vice chairman and a CEO. "But the process of issuing ordinance to form the body is yet to begin," he added.
Talking to Republica, NPC Vice Chairman Govind Raj Pokhrel said they have no idea where the process to form the body has reached. Speaking at the meeting of parliamentary Finance Committee on Sunday, Pokhrel said a well-devised plan, including resource allocation, implementation and monitoring mechanism, is needed for reconstruction.
Officials involved in the law drafting process said that the ordinance will have a provision for forming an agency to respond to any natural disaster for limited period of time.
Related story
Desperate search for missing girls as nearly 80 dead in Texas f...
