Kathmandu: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has informed lawmakers that the government is actively working on the construction of temporary houses for disaster survivors. Retrofitting of private houses, reconstruction, and rehabilitation are also priorities, he added.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Home Minister Lekhak made these remarks in response to queries raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly, the upper house of the federal parliament. The reconstruction drive has gained momentum for the survivors of the Jajarkot earthquake that occurred two years ago.
He further stated that each household affected by the earthquake was provided with monetary relief in two installments to aid in reconstructing their homes. Each household received Rs 50,000 for this purpose. The affected families from the districts of Jajarkot, Rukum Paschim, Salyan, and Bajhang were distributed the amount.
The minister also mentioned that a work procedure for the retrofitting of private houses, reconstruction, and rehabilitation for the year 2081 has been enforced. He added that a detailed assessment of the destruction was conducted among 76,308 affected houses in the Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
A temporary reconstruction office has been established in Jajarkot, Accham, and Bajhang districts to facilitate the efforts, he noted.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly meeting endorsed two proposals: sending the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080, and the Nepal Citizenship (2nd Amendment Bill, 2081) to the legislation management committee for clause-wise discussion. The next meeting of the National Assembly is scheduled for July 27.