KATHMANDU, Nov 13: The government has decided to allocate Rs 8.25 billion from the MP Development Fund for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Jajarkot earthquake victims.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday morning decided to transfer Rs 8.25 billion of the MP Development Fund to the Disaster Management Fund to be spent on post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction. Communication Minister Rekha Sharma stated that it has been decided to provide Rs 10 billion for disaster management by adding Rs 1.75 billion more in the MP Development Fund.
In the budget of the current fiscal year 2023/24, Rs 8.25 billion were allocated for the infrastructure development program of the parliamentary constituency at the rate of Rs 50 million rupees for each constituency. In the writ filed against this, the Supreme Court directed not to implement this program.
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The government has appealed to individuals, organizations and the international community to provide support to the disaster management fund, saying that it appears that the reconstruction after the earthquake will require much more resources than the initial estimate.
The Council of Ministers meeting has decided to give Rs 50,000 to make temporary housing for the families whose houses have been partially or completely damaged in the earthquake.
This amount will be given in two installments. Disaster management funds will be sent to the local level and the family's self-declaration and ward recommendation will be sent to the beneficiary's bank account.
The procedures for providing grants will be as determined by the Disaster Management Executive Committee. For the construction of temporary housing, the Ministry of Urban Development will provide technical assistance through the relevant local government.
It has requested the provincial government to coordinate with the union and the local level to provide manpower as needed and to monitor the temporary housing construction and technical operation. An all-party mechanism of political parties will be formed under the coordination of elected people's representatives in the local level and wards to maintain the necessary understanding and cooperation.
Similarly, it has been decided that the Ministry of Finance will immediately provide the funds for fuel expenses from the budget available for search and rescue and relief to the local administration and security agencies of the earthquake-affected areas.
The Council of Ministers has instructed the Chief Secretary to conduct a study and submit a report on ensuring all buildings and structures, including personal residences, as they are at high vulnerability to earthquakes, natural disasters, and climate change.
