Planning commission ready with short-term reconstruction plan

National Planning Commission (NPC) will submit plan for resettlement – for the earthquake-displaced people – and reconstruction of collapsed structures within this week.
NPC vice chair Dr Govinda Raj Pokhrel today said that the plan will be forwarded to the government by Friday. "The plan proposes to build temporary shelters to all displaced population before the monsoon season," he added.
"We are planning to construct temporary shelters – using local resources – that will cost between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000," he said, adding that it will take only a couple of days to construct the temporary shelters. "The commission has also consulted foreign experts in preparing the short-term plan."
The devastating earthquake of April 25 has damaged some 600,000 house – completely and partially – forcing people to take shelter outside in the open under the tent. However, the nearing rainy season is going to make the lives difficult for them. The temporary shelter is a must before rainy season that is due within a month.
"The short-term plan will include health, education, agriculture and shelter," he added.
However, the planning commission will prepare a more detailed plan for long-term reconstruction by the Dashain festival, Pokhrel shared.
A primary blueprint for the long-term plan will be prepared within a month, he said, adding that the plan will be presented to the international community – asking for their support. The government is holding a local donors' meeting in a week and international donors' meet within a month to get the support from them for resettlement and reconstruction of the displaced people. The long-term plan includes planned resettlement with all the government services, he added.
The international community has, though, pledged billions for relief and rescue operations after the April 25 devastating earthquake, they have been mobilising funds through their INGOs and NGOs. The government has been asking them to contribute to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to make rescue, relief, resettlement and reconstruction through one-door.
Meanwhile, the planning commission vice chair also said that the devastating tremor has caused a loss of Rs 700 billion, around 30 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). "It will also hit the economic growth for the current fiscal year, he said, adding that the revenue mobilisation, especially VAT, and agriculture production will be hit pulling the economic growth down from mid-term budgetary review of five per cent. However, the government has projected six per cent economic growth – in the fiscal policy for the current fiscal year – in July.