Prez hands over model houses to flood victims

Rautahat, February 6

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today handed over Santapur Model Integrated Settlement to the flood victims of Chandrapur Municipality, Rautahat.

The settlement was constructed by Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation for 47 families who were displaced by the floods last monsoon.

President Bhandari handed over the keys of the settlement to coordinator of Construction Management Committee Satyanarayan Majhi amidst a special programme. The president thanked Sitaram Katel and Kunjana Ghimire for their contribution. She said development activities could be expedited if proper coordination was maintained between the government and people. She added the government was also constructing houses for Dalits and backward people.

As many as 47 two-storeyed houses with four rooms, two temples, community hall, primary school, park, and view tower, among other 50 infrastructures, have been constructed. The total cost of the project was Rs 59.5 million. Foundation Coordinator Arjun Sapkota said they had spent 114 days to complete the construction of the settlements. He added that the model settlement was established with the fund collected from the locals and Nepalis residing abroad. “The foundation is still in debt of Rs 70 lakh,” he said.

A ninety-five year old woman Ramakaliya Devi Paswan thanked Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation, saying that the people were compelled to spend nights in leaking houses earlier. “But now we are in sophisticated and safe houses which we did not even imagine in our dreams,” she said.

Governor of Province 2 Sateshwor Lal Kayastha, comedians Madankrishna Shrestha, Haribansa Acharya, and executive officer Yubraj Bhusal of National Reconstruction Authority were present at the programme.