SINDHUPALCHOWK: Victims of the recent monsoon-induced floods have not received their grant money for the past three months.
There are widespread complaints that the funds required for house reconstruction from the previous fiscal year have not been distributed.
Tashi Lama, chair of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality, noted that while house construction has begun, the installments have not been released due to the unavailability of grant funds.
He added that some individuals have had to rebuild their homes using loans, and are struggling to repay these loans due to the delay in receiving government grants.
The delay in house construction has forced many affected individuals to live in hazardous conditions.
Rabi Raj Dhital, disaster focal person at the District Administration Office, explained that the payment process has been delayed because the Integrated Work Procedure is being revised.
This update is being made to include earthquake victims from western Nepal and to align grant distribution accordingly.
Dhital assured that the issue would be resolved once the new procedure is finalized.
According to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), 1,893 families have been affected by monsoon-related disasters. However, there is no precise data on those affected before this.
The procedure from 2077 BS stipulates grant amounts of Rs 500,000 for mountainous districts, Rs 400,000 for hilly districts, and Rs 300,000 for Tarai districts for house reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-affected homes post-May 2020.
Sindhupalchowk is classified as a mountainous district, with the federal government responsible for 55% of the funding for municipalities and 60% for rural municipalities.
The provincial government covers 30%, rural municipalities 10%, and municipalities 15%.
Melamchi Municipality Mayor Aitman Tamang reported that while local governments have forwarded the details of flood-affected individuals to the District Disaster Management Committee, the grants have yet to be disbursed due to procedural issues.
Hari Sharan Shrestha, a flood victim from Melamchi-11, expressed frustration over the delay in funds despite assurances of installment payments.
He noted that many victims who took out loans to rebuild their homes are now facing difficulties.
Asmita Danuwar, from Phatte in Melamchi municipality-11, also voiced her concerns.
Her house was destroyed by the 2021 floods and she has been living in tents since.
Asmita complained about having to pay interest on her microfinance loan due to the delay in receiving the grant, even though construction has begun.
The reconstruction of homes according to the procedure remains incomplete.
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