Okhaldhunga, February 22

A relief amount of Rs 23.4 lakh issued for earthquake victims of Ragani VDC has not been distributed in Okhaldhunga.

There is no information of the amount that was meant and released for nutrition and sanitation of as many as 234 completely damaged households of the VDC. Though the victims of other VDCs received Rs 10,000 each under the heading, the victims of Ragani have not received it yet.

Victims of wards 1, 2 and 3 of the VDC complained that they didn’t receive the relief amount though the government issued Rs 10,000 each to all the households. However, as per VDC officials, the budget was not sufficient for the wards and the administration would be sending it very soon. The VDC doesn’t have records of whether or not the District Disaster Rescue Committee issued the amount.

Scores of victims alleged that officials of the VDC had embezzled the relief amount meant for them and demanded investigation.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Phanindra Dahal said he would proceed with the grant distribution only after screening the relief distribution record of the District Disaster Rescue Committee.