NO MORE DELAY

The Kathmandu Post

16 October 2015

NO MORE DELAY

It has been almost six months since the devastating earthquake that shook the nation killing more than 9000 and displacing many thousand people. More than 14000 people were injured. Several government and private properties were damaged and or destroyed. The Koirala led government was badly criticized for its inability to provide relief materials and other humanitarian support effectively on time. Instead, it, with the collaboration of other major political parties, took this opportunity for drafting the new constitution leaving aside the plight of the quake affected people for relief materials and rehabilitation.

Now, a new government led by K.P.Oli is in place with smany challenges ahead on hand. Among them, rehabilitation of affected people and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures are on the priority lists. Many donor organizations who had generously announced their willingness to support the Nepal government for reconstruction works, are now showing their concern over the delay in this process (“UK concerned over delay in reconstruction” 14 October, Page 3). The Koirala led government had formed a high level committee to take care of the reconstruction works. But, it was not able to pass the needed act for its functioning through Parliament due to political hindrance caused by its coalition partner.

Nepal is currently facing an humanitarian crisis due to the effect of devastating earthquake, ongoing political and social unrest in tarai districts and undeclared Indian government blockade. Unless the government addresses the political demands of the Madhes based political parties, it is unlikely that the supply of essential goods from India will get normalized. Soon after these problems are solved, the government has to definitely revive the Reconstruction Authority and swiftly pass the act through Parliament to convince the donor community its seriousness in speeding up the reconstruction process.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj.