Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 30:

The National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) has released budget for different organisations of the indigenous and nationalities.

“We have already released funds for some 25 organisations and the process is on,” said Jagat Gurung, planning officer at the NFDIN. According to Tamla Ukyab, member-secretary of the NFDIN, funds are being released after studying proposals of the central organisations affiliated to the Nepal Federation of Indigenous and Nationalities (NEFIN).

The proposals include institutional development and research on dance, folktales, study and analysis of culture and history of the indigenous nationalities. Some 27 organisations affiliated to NEFIN and three affiliated to Indigenous Women’s Federation will also receive funds, as only three women’s organisations have submitted proposals. “We did our best to make equal distribution to all the organisations but there is slight difference according to the gravity of the proposal,” he said adding that the highest amount allocated is Rs 100,000. Those which have received the funds include central organisations of Rai, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Pahari, Dura, and Darai communities among others.

The foundation has equally prioritised all the affiliated organisations. “The NGOs will not get priority while distributing money,” he said, adding, “Last year we had more budget, therefore we distributed it to the NGOs working of the welfare of indigenous nationalities.”

The NFDIN released Rs 3.5 million for the Chepang (Praja) Development Programme. While Rs 1.7 million will be distributed as scholarships.