Seventy-eight earthquake survivors received letters for housing reconstruction grant at Singati in Dolakha district on Monday.

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has provided Rs50,000 in first instalment for rebuilding quake-destroyed homes in Lamidanda-6 and Laduk-8. The money will be deposited in the bank accounts of the recipients as per the grant paper.

“On Sunday only one quake victim was given the grant letter due to a dispute whereas 77 got the letters on Monday,” said NRA officer Labaraj Joshi.

After the Resource Centre distributes letters, the District Development Committee will deposit the amount in the victim’s accounts, said Joshi. Those receiving the letters would get the cash within a week. He added that 29 victims had filed complaints at the NRA centre.

Hassles in opening bank accounts

Seventy-five-year-old earthquake survivor Chinimaya Tamang of Laduk VDC-4 in Dolakha district faced hardships while opening a bank account in Singati.

“It took me a whole day to open the account,” said Chinimaya, informing that she had spent two days in Singati for the process. People from 18 VDCs had to reach Singati for the branchless service provided by Nepal Investment Bank Limited (NIBL) and Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB).

Up to 80 accounts are being opened every day. One bank representative said filling up forms and recording thumb prints had been taking time.

Ram Bahadur GC and Sundar GC of Chilankha VDC said it cost them about Rs2,000 to stay in Singati for two days.

NRA Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyewali said they will add more banking units to ease the hassles.

The RBB has got the responsibility to serve 2,970 victims of Lamidanda, Babare and Bhigu VDCs whereas the NIBL will cater to 2,338 families of Alampu, Chilankha and Laduk VDCs.

So far, 1,500 bank accounts have been provided.