Sindhupalchok, April 24

One year into the earthquakes, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli formally inaugurated the reconstruction campaign in Sindhupalchok today.

The prime minister, who was in Sindhupalchok to launch the reconstruction drive, laid the foundation stone of the house of Sarbe Tamang of Chautara Municipality this morning.

The drive was launched in three places worst affected by the quakes.

Parliamentary members Mohan Bahadur Basnet and Sher Bahadur Tamang inaugurated the drive in constituency 1 and 3 of the district.

Meanwhile, PM Oli also handed over an agreement paper for the reconstruction of Yadu Maya Ghorasaini’s house during a special function organised in Chautara. Ghorasaini is a single woman.

Forest Minister Agni Prasad Sapkota and parliamentary member Amrit Kumar Bohara also were present at the programme.

PM Oli expressed his commitment to carry out reconstruction of damaged structures in a fast and effective manner.

He clarified that the government had failed to expedite the reconstruction drive due to the prolonged blockade at various Nepal-India border points and delay in the formation of National Reconstruction Authority.

He also claimed that the government had received only one-fourth of the financial support pledged by the donors.

PM Oli also expressed his dissatisfaction at the condition set by the donors to reconstruct the houses of quake victims. “The donors have said they will extend financial support only after conducting a survey of the victims’ newly built houses, which is not practical,” he said.

“Handicapped, helpless and single women should be given priority in the reconstruction drive,” said the PM. He also claimed that the Tatopani border would soon come into operation.

District leaders and cadres of Nepali Congress, however, did not attend the function.