KATHMANDU: Altogether 5,565 beneficiary households have received the first tranche of government’s housing grant through Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL) as of Tuesday.

According to an agreement with National Reconstruction Authority, the bank has opened 13,917 accounts for eligible beneficiaries in its branches located in seven districts out of the Valley, says a media release. The bank has received Rs 390.5 million from NRA and has transferred the first instalment to 7,811 accounts from which 5,565 identified eligible beneficiaries have already withdrawn the amount.

The bank has announced that it has kept its branches open from 10:00am to 4:00pm to ensure all beneficiary households get the grant amount as soon as possible.