This year too the Province 5 government is continuing with its integrated settlement development programmes in Mahat and Hukam, which were devastated during the decade-long Maoist insurgency in Rukum (East).

For the programme, the government has allocated Rs 5 billion. According to Tej Bahadur Oli, a member of the provincial assembly, the fund will be used to manage settlement areas, upgrade roads, courtyards, and build kitchen gardens and maintain sanitation in the village.

In the first phase, last fiscal year, the government had allocated Rs 5 million to construct roads and install solar lights along the road in Mahat. Oli said that around 800 metres of a permanent road was constructed and solar lights were installed in the village.

“The road which links the village to Rukumkot, the district headquarters, is now motorable making it easy for the locals to travel,” said Dev Bahadur Budha, ward chairman, who says the programme has greatly facilitated villagers. The road was upgraded as part of the programme last year.

Hundreds of people were displaced and 58 people were killed in Mahat during the insurgency. Local and provincial governments are trying to compensate for the loss through several development programmes.

The local unit has installed a bust of Gautam Buddha and constructed a memorial park in Mahat to commemorate war victims. “Many villagers lost their lives and properties during the war-era. We are only trying to empathise with the victims’ families through development programmes,” said Ramsur Budha Magar, chairman at Bhume Rural Municipality.

The provincial government also has allocated Rs 5 million for an integrated development programme at Hukam village in Puthauttarganga Rural Municipality. Hukam is also one of the conflict-affected areas in the district. According to the authorities, the budget will be used to manage the settlement and upgrade roads and other infrastructures in Hukam.