Expand subsidised loans criteria: MPs

KATHMANDU, JUN 07

Lawmakers from earthquake-affected districts on Saturday asked the government to arrange subsidised loans even for those whose houses have been partially damaged.

The Nepal Rastra Bank’s (NRB) guidelines provision the loans at 2 percent interest only to those whose houses have been fully damaged and have been rendered inhabitable.

At an interaction organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC) with the lawmakers, they sought special budget for the quake-hit districts.

The government plans to spend the budget in the districts through the proposed Reconstruction Fund. It seeks to collect Rs200 billion in the fund.

The lawmakers sought flexibility in the criteria for relief distribution as necessary documents of many have been buried under the rubble. “Those who don’t have land ownership certificates, but their houses have been damaged should also get relief from the government,” they said.

An NPC statement states the lawmakers also asked the government to work to eliminate fears among those living around high-rise buildings. People living near high-rises have formed a struggle committee to pressure the government to address their concern.  

The government has declared two out of 40 apartment buildings in Kathmandu uninhabitable after completing a Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Assessment. Of them, 31 apartment buildings have got yellow stickers, which means they can be used after repairs. Seven high-rises have been given green stickers, meaning they are safe to live in. According to the NPC, the lawmakers sought relief for quake victims to build 2-4 room houses with modern technology. Given many World Heritage Sites of the Valley have been damaged by the quake, they demanded creation of a special fund to restore the sites.

As settlements in many quake-affected districts have been scattered, the lawmakers asked the government to make public plans for organised settlement. “The settlements which are at risks, must be relocated to safer places,” they demanded.

As the government is all set to the form a powerful mechanism to handle the reconstruction and rehabilitation work, the lawmakers suggested forming a parliamentary supervisory body under the speaker to check any irregularities.

Source: The Kathmandu Post