NRA’s bid to bring CLPIUs under its ambit rejected

Kathmandu, July 19

Ministries have opposed the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA)’s proposal to bring the project implementation units concerned with post-earthquake reconstruction under its ambit to accelerate the reconstruction works. Citing the slow pace of reconstruction, NRA had forwarded the proposal to the Cabinet to bring all the central level project implementation units (CLPIUs) under its ambit to achieve the desired results as per the timeline set by NRA in project implementation.

Currently, the CLPIUs have been working under various ministries like the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Education. Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Ministry of Health, among others.

According to NRA officials, reconstruction works have been delayed as the CLPIUs need to follow all the procedural steps mandated by the ministries. NRA had expected to accelerate reconstruction activities if the CLPIUs were brought under its ambit.

“NRA had proposed to the Cabinet to bring all the CLPIUs under its ambit, which would minimise the procedural steps and expedite reconstruction works under the proper guidance of the NRA,” a high-level source at NRA told The Himalayan Times. “However, the Cabinet has remained quiet on this issue even as ministries have opposed NRA’s idea.”

NRA, as the coordinating agency, has been working in close coordination with CLPIUs. However, the reconstruction works have not gathered pace on various occasions due to differences between the reconstruction authority and ministries, according to NRA officials.

Meanwhile, the ministries have said that the various CLPIUs under the respective ministries have already initiated implementation of reconstruction works and they have been facilitated by the NRA. “There is no authenticity behind the claims that the ministries are not serious about expediting reconstruction works,” said Shankar Prasad Adhikari, tourism secretary. “Whether the CLPIUs work under the ministries or the NRA they will still comprise of the same human resource and will be bound by a similar legal framework.”

However, NRA has said that as the CLPIUs have been formed for a special purpose, projects being implemented by CLPIUs need to be given special treatment to complete the reconstruction works within the stipulated timeframe.