Stating that delay on the part of the government in appointing chief executive officer of the authority is hindering reconstruction efforts to be carried out in the aftermath of the earthquake, the committee on Monday directed the government to immediately appoint CEO and other key officials in the authority and give momentum to reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the quake-affected areas.
"The committee issues directive to the government [to make the appointment] as no noticeable progress has been made toward expediting reconstruction and rehabilitation work even after 100 days of the April 25 earthquake, in lack of fully-functioning authority," said Rabindra Adhikari, chairman of the committee, reading out the committee's decision at the meeting held to discuss on formation of the high-powered authority.
Minister of Finance Ram Sharan Mahat, who was also at the meeting, also admitted that the delay in appointing key officials of the authority has obstructed reconstruction work to be carried out after the quake. "Formation of a fully-functioning authority is significant as it is the only and leading body entrusted with the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation work. We should not have made any delay in giving full shape to the authority, but that does not mean the government is doing nothing with regard to starting reconstruction work," said he.
Authorities, local communities pledge to help in Dharahara reco...
He said that the government has already directed all the concerned ministries to prepare action plan for reconstruction work even as the reconstruction authority has yet to be made functional. "Likewise, we have also been carrying out detailed negotiation with donors who earlier pledged to provide us with financial support for reconstruction and rehabilitation," said he, adding, the finance minster is holding talks with donors like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, European Union, and the governments of China, Japan and India for bringing the funds announced duringthe donor conference held on June 25.
Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya, however, claimed that the government is in the final stage of picking key officials.
Speaking at the meeting, Bhakta Bahadur Kapali, a lawmaker, said reconstruction work would have gained momentum had the authority been formed immediately after the donor conference. "Ordinary people are losing faith in the government due to the delay in giving full shape to the authority and carrying out reconstruction work," added he.
To expedite the reconstruction work, the committee has also directed the Office of Prime Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Physical Planning and Transport, Ministry of Urban Development, National Planning Commission, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and other concerned ministries to submit details within four days on the ongoing preparations and future plans for the reconstruction of the devastated infrastructures caused by April 25 earthquake.
Govt should prioritize use of domestic resources for reconstruction: NPC
National Planning Commission has stressed the need for using domestic resources as far as possible while carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the quake-affected areas.
Speaking in the meeting of the committee, NPC Vice-chairman Govinda Raj Pokharel said that in a draft policy for reconstruction and rehabilitation, the NPC has suggested that the reconstruction authority give priority to local recourses and skills while carrying out reconstruction work.
