National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Sushil Gyewali on Sunday furnished his second clarification to the government, saying he had discharged his regular duties and that sacking him from the post has no justifiable ground.

A Cabinet meeting on Thursday had decided to seek further clarification from Gyewali, asking “factual and credible reasons why he should not be relieved of his duties” while declaring the previous one he had submitted a day earlier as unsatisfactory.

Much like the previous clarification he sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, Gyewali on Sunday hit back at the government agencies, blaming them for non-cooperation. Claiming that he was performing his duties within the given jurisdiction, he had also questioned government’s move of seeking clarification and said that the NRA’s Directive Committee chaired by PM Dahal in October had found the NRA’s performance satisfactory.

Earlier, the government on December 29 had sought clarification from Gyewali for the delay in reconstruction works and his “lackadaisical performance”. The government had raised four issues: his failure to coordinate with government agencies for effective reconstruction work, inability to mobilise staff efficiently, lack of implementation of instructions given by the NRA Directive Committee and delay in issuing housing grants to the homeless families.

Gyewali has mentioned that after completion of a detalied geological study of 117 quake-hit areas, the NRA has decided to relocate people from 56 areas which are found vulnerable to human settlements.

Considering the challenges in relocation, 86 community buildings have been constructed in various quake-hit districts, he has explained.

“Study of the remaining 378 areas will be carried out in coordination with related bodies within the deadline as determined by the authority’s Directive Committee in October,” he has mentioned in the letter.

Claiming that the first installment was distributed to registered beneficiaries in 11 quake-affected districts without problems, Gyewali has said in the letter holding him accountable for the delay in distribution of second and third tranches was “not justifiable”. 

Out of the total 94,072 registered households, the NRA has already signed the tripatrite agreement with 68,772 for the rebuilding aid.

Gyewali has pointed out the lack of proper representation in local bodies, budget and limited staff in the NRA itself as reasons for the delay.

But he has assured that the entire reconstruction works will be accomplished within five years.