Kathmandu, September 4
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is working to translate a pledge that he made three months ago into action.
First the pledge: While in Dolakha three months ago, the CPN-Maoist Centre Chair had said he would give each quake-affected family five lakh rupees if he became prime minister.
Fast forward: Prachanda became PM three months later. Now, he is working to walk the talk.
His government has decided to give two lakh rupees to each affected family as grant. The National Reconstruction Authority is giving Rs 50,000 to each affected family as first installment of the grant.
PM Prachanda is adding one lakh rupees to the individual package and is busy searchinng for the donor. The government is in talks with India for this additional funding. Chances are that Nepal and India may sign a concrete agreement on the matter during PM Prachanda’s visit to India.
There are more than seven lakh quake-hit families, meaning the government will require Rs 70 billion more if it is to add to the individual package one lakh rupees more. A leader close to Prachanda said: No single country can give away that much of money. It’s fine if donors provide the sum. If they don’t, we will add one lakh more to the individual package by mobilising internal sources.
No single country can give away that much of money (Rs 70 billion). It’s fine if donors provide the sum. If they don’t, we will add one lakh more to the individual package by mobilising internal sources.
During a meeting with lawmakers from Sindhupalchok, PM Prachanda said the process of giving three lakh rupees as grant to each quake-hit family has already begun. This means one thing: Prachanda is serious about keeping his pledge.
This will also address Prachanda coalition partner Nepali Congress’ demand: That each quake-hit family should get Rs 1.5 lakh in first installment.
When KP Oli was prime minister, donors had stood against the NC’s demand on giving Rs 1.5 lakh to each affected family in the first installment, fearing misuse of the funds
It should be noted that when KP Oli was prime minister, donors had stood against the NC’s demand on giving Rs 1.5 lakh to each affected family in the first installment, fearing misuse of the funds. That’s why, NRA is giving to each quake-hit family Rs 50,000 in first installment.
If the Prachanda government manages to give one lakh rupees each to quake-hit families, it will be akin to meeting Congress’ demand for distribution of Rs 1.5 lakn to each affected family in first installment, a leader said.
Despite this, the Prachanda government will have to give two lakh rupees each to quake-hit family if it is to keep the promise of giving away five lakh rupees to each affected family. The government is making a plan for this.
A source close to PM Prachanda said the affected families will not get two lakh rupees each. The source said the government is preparing to launch a self-employment scheme to compensate for this.
The source said this will not be a part of concessional loan (one million rupees in villages and Rs 2.5 million in cities, at interest rate of two per cent) that government is providing to quake victims for construction of houses.
See also: Nepal: Prachanda government preparing to increase aid to quake victims, donors positive
NC leader Mahat: Nepal government looking after political cadres at the expense of quake victims
Impossible to grant Rs 2 lakh to each quake-hit family at one go: Reconstruction Authority
Livelihoods recovery as important as reconstruction of quake-hit infra: Nepal’s development partners
