Kathmandu, April 15

The National Reconstruction Authority has approved a new procedure to make systematic the process of relocation and rehabilitation of families residing in earthquake-affected settlements.

According to the NRA, the Vulnerable Settlement Relocation and Rehabilitation Procedure, 2017 was formulated in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 31 of the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Earthquake Affected Structures.

A meeting of executive committee of the NRA presided over by Chief Executive Officer Govinda Raj Pokharel had recently approved the procedure.

As per the new procedure, ‘vulnerable settlement’ has been defined as any settlement considered vulnerable on the basis of the report of geological study and the families residing there should be relocated to a safer place. It encourages at least 10 households from among the beneficiaries to form a user committee for the selection of a safer place to build an integrated settlement.

Any household located in the settlement categorised as vulnerable shall be deemed to be a beneficiary no matter if it was or was not incorporated in the list of beneficiaries prepared by the NRA. It requires the beneficiary of the vulnerable settlement to submit the evidence of the purchase of land to an office prescribed by the NRA.

Land ownership certificate shall be issued in the name of both the spouse in the case of a family with husband and wife. “No one shall be allowed to transfer or dispose of the land so purchased for 10 years,” read the procedure. It has also prioritised gradual development and establishment of road, water supply and electricity system, health centre and educational institutions to meet the basic needs of households.