Govt rapped for delayed reconstruction

Kathmandu, June 20

Lawmakers of the main opposition party today vehemently criticised the government for delaying reconstruction work even 14 months after the earthquake.

Speaking during the special time, lawmakers of opposition parties demanded that the government distribute relief and support to earthquake victims together. They also demanded that the government dissolve the National Reconstruction Authority for failing to take necessary action on time.

They demanded that the government begin reconstruction works with the help of Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and District Development Committee after dissolving the NRA.

Drawing serious attention of the government for delay in the distribution of fund to earthquake victims even 14 months after the disaster, Nepali congress leader Mahesh Acharya demanded the government’s response to the House.

Claiming that none of the victims were rehabilitated in the affected hilly regions, including Gorkha, Rasuwa and Nuwakot, he accused the government of politicising the identity and relief for victims.

NC lawmaker Kamal Pangeni questioned the competence of NRA and said the government should provide its responsibilities to District Development Committees instead.

Meanwhile Speaker Onsari Gharti directed the government to provide information about the progress in reconstruction works.

Lawmaker Sushil Shrestha expressed concern about the release of those arrested for forcible conversion of religion in two schools of Dolakha with pressure from political parties.

Another lawmaker Rajendra Kumar KC said the government failed to bring the amount committed by the international community for reconstruction, which proves its incompetence. He said the government had defamed first president of Republic Nepal by not paying his house rent on time.

Lawmaker Afilal Ukheda said the government should be serious about leading the peace process to its logical conclusion and providing justice to conflict-affected families with proper compensation.

The Parliament meeting was stalled for more than half an hour after NC lawmakers demanded district-wise details of the budget allocated for transporting foodstuffs, which falls under the Supplies Ministry. However, the Supplies Ministry was omitted from today’s list of ministries to be discussed in relation to the appropriation bill.

Taking part in the debate, former finance minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the government was more focused on buying aircraft instead of examining the expending capacity of the national flag carrier.

UML’s Rajan Bhattarai and CPN-Maoist Centre’s Ram Narayan Bidari were more concerned about the Ministry of General Administration’s failure to manage civil servants effectively.

Madhes-based parties boycotted the session today as well.