Khotang, July 12

As any as 202 persons have completed earthquake resistant house construction training in the post-quake period in Khotang. Sixty masons, 52 carpenters, 50 house wiring technicians, 30 plumbers and 10 tailors have been produced after the 2015 earthquake in the district.

Small and Cottage Industry Development Committee Khotang Officer Loknath Khatiwada said the people were trained in coordination with District Natural Disaster Rescue Committee, Khotang, to make them independent and skilled workforce.

“We conducted the training to produce skilled manpower to contribute to the reconstruction and recovery project. Many of them are involved in reconstruction work while more than 70 per cent are self-employed,” claimed Khatiwada. The youths of earthquake-hit areas, including Chyasmitar, Durchhim, Nunthala, Baksila, Khotang bazaar among other places of the district, were picked for training and Rs 3.29 lakh was invested.

Construction of as many as 8,843 houses destroyed during the April 2015 quake, is under way with the help of trained manpower under the Settlement Reconstruction Authority.