Dhankuta, March 16

Technicians deployed for reconstruction work under National Reconstruction Authority have been staging protest demanding hike in salary and benefits. The agitation has left reconstruction of private residences in the lurch in hilly district of Province 1.

Agitation launched by technicians has stalled construction of private houses in Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha. Quake victims have yet to receive second and third tranches of grant money for house construction.

Technicians, who quit filed work by issuing a press statement on February 26, had been to the NRA office Dhankuta to receive their salary on March 10, though. They warned of launching a stern protest if the government did not address their demands.

Mahalaxmi Municipality Dhankuta Mayor Parsuram Nepal said that quake victims would have to stay in temporary shelters if local level was not authorised to deploy and regulate technicians mobilised for reconstruction. As many as 10,000 quake victims are incorporated in the list of beneficiaries from Dhankuta, Bhojpur, and Sankhuwasabha.