Kathmandu: The government has announced the formation of a high-level judicial commission under the leadership of former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. This commission is tasked with studying and investigating the events that transpired during the protests on September 8-9.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the commission will include former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police, Bigyan Raj Sharma, and legal expert Bishweshwor Prasad Bhandari. The commission has been given a three-month mandate to complete its work.
In a related decision, the Cabinet meeting on Sunday appointed Manoj Silwal, former Deputy Executive Director at Nepal Electricity Authority, as the new Executive Director of the Authority with a term of four years. Meanwhile, the current Executive Director, Hitendra Dev Shakya, has been appointed as a specialist at the Hydro and Energy Commission.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal announced that Dr. Manoj Kumar KC, Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police, has been appointed as the Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police. Furthermore, an assessment of the damage to public properties during the Gen-Z protest will be conducted by the National Planning Commission, which will include representatives from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, various ministries, and Gen-Z. Their report is expected within 45 days.
Finance Minister Dr. Rameshwor Khanal stated that government offices, Nepal Rastra Bank, and insurance companies will introduce relief schemes to support industries and businesses affected by the Gen-Z protest. Additionally, damaged vehicles and equipment from the Singha Durbar complex will be auctioned off by the Ministry of Urban Development, with Chief District Officers coordinating such activities in their respective districts.
Minister Khanal also mentioned that the government will offer a 50 percent discount on the import of materials needed for the reconstruction of damaged properties. The deadline for loan settlements for industries impacted by the protests will also be extended.
Projects costing less than Rs 30 million, or those not initially listed in project banks or added under political pressure, will be discontinued by the government. Construction companies that have completed their projects will receive payment, according to the Minister.
To support reconstruction efforts, the government plans to establish a reconstruction fund that will accept contributions from individuals both domestically and internationally. Banks, financial institutions, and industries will also contribute to this fund as part of their corporate social responsibility. A committee on physical infrastructure and reconstruction will be formed to oversee these efforts.