Instruction to give priority to projects direly related to quake survivors

KATHMANDU: The National Reconstruction Authority, the government body formed to carry out post earthquake rebuilding efforts, has instructed authorities concerned to implement only those projects included in the post disaster recovery framework (PDRF) which are in actual need of reconstruction.

At a meeting held on Monday to discuss progress details so far on the projects in the PDRF and about future projects, NRA secretary Madhu Sudan Adhikari directed the concerned bodies to get approval of design, estimate cost and procurement process of structures to be rebuild and constructed anew through the NRA itself.

He insisted on the need of abiding by financial discipline. "First prioritise projects remaining within the PDRF and then implement them as per their importance," he said giving top priority to those projects directly concerned earthquake survivors.

The NRA has put those projects concerning with quake victims on a high priority.

Secretary Adhikari directed the submission of programmes for the high level coordination and the reconstruction of the structures damaged in the quake, and the preparations for the next year's programmes in this regard.

The participating representatives apprised the seminar of the progress of the projects they have represented completed in the last fiscal year and to the date of the current FY, and revealed next year's plans.

The concerned authorities also drew the attention of the NRA to the 'delay' in the reconstructions for want of enough budget, and asked for easing the matter.

The seminar was also attended by representatives from Ministries of Home, Defence, Agriculture, Information and Communications, Water Supply and Sanitation, Livestock Development, Forest, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Federal Affairs and Local Development, Education, Urban Development, and the security agencies.