Earthquake survivors in Ramechhap district have not received the second batch of housing reconstruction aid even two months after the government allocated the amount meant to distribute to the quake-affected families in the District Coordination Committee (DCC). 

Victims said that Rs 660 million has been stuck in the DCC’s office. Victim Shivaji Ghimire of Manthali Municipality said he has been deprived of housing aid even after completing the construction of house. “The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) directed the officials to provide a lump sum amount to those who completed the construction of house, but I have not received money yet,” he said.

The victims are unable to receive the second instalment of the aid as they could not get application forms in the village councils and wards. According to the local authorities, the NRA has not sent 

the necessary forms that should be filled up to receive second and third instalments of the aid. 

On Tuesday, the DCC ordered officials to print some application forms. “I have directed for the printing of application forms here. We will send the forms to the villages in 2-3 days,” said Local Development Officer Dineshraj Panta, adding that the DDC has started printing the forms in view of the public pressure. “It’s not our responsibility to print the forms. The higher authorities should send application forms here,” said Panta. 

The implementation of the local units has also obstructed the ongoing reconstruction works. As the executive officials have not reached their concerned municipalities and village councils, the quake victims could not verify their documents to receive housing aid.  

According to the Urban Development and Building Division Office, victims have already constructed 3,500 new houses in the district.