Kathmandu, March 29 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today lashed out at officials of the National Reconstruction Authority and other public entities for delaying implementation of post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation works. “It’s been almost a year since the quakes hit the country. But we’re moving at snail’s pace in executing tasks related to reconstruction. This is not done,” the PM told a meeting called to hold discussions with chief district officers and local development officers of 14 districts that were badly hit by quakes of April and May. PM Oli, who, ironically, is the NRA chairman, said public officials should always keep in mind that they are accountable to the people. “But look at our progress now If someone asks us what we have done so far (for quake victims), we don’t have any answer,” the PM, who is known for cracking jokes, told the gathering in a matter-of-fact tone. “If this trend continues, we won’t be able to rescue people this monsoon as well,” Oli said, urging officials to walk the extra mile to make deliveries and not consider reconstruction as regular development work. Oli said his Cabinet was willing to take any measure to remove the hurdles in the way to execute reconstruction works. “We can also talk to parliamentarians and convince them to support us if there is need,” the PM said, adding, “All this while, government officials should not be turning the leaf of law books to rescue people, because we are dealing with an extraordinary situation, which demands extraordinary responses.” Soon after the quakes hit the country, the government had decided to execute all tasks related to reconstruction and rehabilitation through a powerful body called NRA. But political wrangling prevented its formation in a swift manner. After months of delays, the NRA was finally established around three months ago. But, so far, it has not been able to make tangible deliveries. On March 13, the NRA finally started extending first instalment of the pledged grant amount to quake victims of Dolakha district. The government has pledged to extend a grant of Rs 200,000 to every owner whose house was destroyed by the quakes. This amount would be provided in three instalments of Rs 50,000, Rs 80,000 and Rs 70,000. “But after distributing money to 500 or so households in Dolakha, secretaries of many village development committees abruptly brought the process to a halt demanding perks,” an official of the NRA told The Himalayan Times. The NRA is mulling over extending the first instalment of the grant to victims of 10 other quake-hit districts beginning April 3.