KATHMANDU: The number of beneficiaries applying for the second installment for reconstruction of houses destroyed by the earthquake has crossed 300,000.

As many as 301,084 earthquake victims have submitted their applications for the second installment, as per the statistics received until Thursday through the communication mechanism of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

The NRA procedure allows the beneficiaries, who have received the first installment, to apply for the second installment on completion of construction of the foundation level. On receiving the application for the second installment from the beneficiaries, NRA will recommend for the second installment after conducting required monitoring.

Out of the applicants of the second installment, 288,023 beneficiaries have already been certified. The certification of the remaining 13,061 applicants will soon be completed, according to NRA spokesperson, Yam Lal Bhusal.

Bhusal said,"The reason for enthusiasm among people is due to the deadline being fixed for receiving the second installment, suitable weather for construction, and technicians being deployed under the local levels."

According to statistics registered in the information system of NRA, the highest number of applicants applying for the second installment are from Sindhupalchok district, which comprise of 51,066 beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries applying for the second installment is increasing both in highly affected as well as less affected districts.

From the less affected districts, 652 beneficiaries from Lamjung, 502 from Chitwan and 29 from Nawalparasi have applied for the second installment.

According to Central Project Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Urban Development, 338,029 houses are undergoing reconstruction, while the NRA has indicated that reconstruction has been completed on 101,694 houses.

The NRA procedure states that NRs 50,000 would be provided as first installment, NRs 150,000 as second installment and NRs 100,000 as the final installment to the people listed as beneficiaries.