Nepal govn decides 200 billion for reconstruction

The government has decided to institute a fund of Rs. 200 billion for reconstruction of places affected by the earthquake. The meeting of Council of Ministers held yesterday has decided to deposit 20 billion rupees from the government's side and directed the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to manage rest of the amount from donor agencies. The newly announced fund constitutes programmes of building of houses of approved designs and standards, school and college infrastructures, cultural heritage and provision of drinking water, according to government Spokesman and Minister of Information and Communication Dr. Minendra Rijal. As a measure to ensure transparency of the fund, all-party mechanisms and monitoring committees will be formed in the districts under the central chairmanship of the prime minister. The cabinet has also included two more districts- Makwanpur and Okhaldhunga- as crisis zones following the earthquake. As per its relief package, the government is to provide 100 thousand rupees to families of each victim and 40 thousand as expense to perform the final rites of the deceased. It has decided to speed up works on distribution of tents and tarpaulins to people who have been rendered homeless by the earthquake. People experiencing inabilities will be provided re-settlement at a safe place. The cabinet has also decided to provide Rs. 25 thousand for repair of houses which are partially damaged. Hospitals are to be provided with Rs. 25 thousand for treatment of each patient, while grants will be provided from the Ministry of Health and Population for treatment of serious injuries. Meanwhile, taking to note the accountability of the Parliament in the rescue, relief and reconstruction in the aftermath of the massive earthquake, the cabinet has recommended to summon the meeting of the Legislature Parliament for May 7.