Kathmandu, May 31

Keeping in mind the inconvenience in communication between the general public and the National Reconstruction Authority in matters related to post-quake reconstruction, the NRA today launched a toll-free helpline.

The callers can use the helpline, available round-the-clock, by dialing and registering their queries or complaints at 616-72000-01, and NCell users at 98015-72111, according to the NRA. The calls will be responded within 24 hours.

The NRA’s CEO Govindaraj Pokharel made a mock call, using the toll-free helpline. Posing himself as a quake-affected person, Pokharel reported to the NRA’s helpline  that none from the NRA had been to his locality to complete the procedures for the beneficiaries to receive the second instalment of the reconstruction aid.

Pokharel said the helpline would be useful for hundreds of thousands of quake survivors across the country in establishing communication with the NRA. The United Nations Development Program has provided financial and technical assistance for the service. UNDP’s Deputy Director in Nepal, Sophie Kemkhadze, expressed confidence that the service would help the NRA understand local level issues in its post-quake reconstruction tasks.