The earthquake survivors in Gorkha district are compelled to live under the tents and have been bearing the brunt of the biting cold even after eight months of the Gorkha Earthquake.The women and children including those from Karauja village of northern Gorkha have been the hardest hit with the steady dip in the mercury across the country and the pain of the quake survivors is beyond telling. Meanwhile, a bill on reconstruction authority is still in limbo in the parliament due to over politicization of the issue. As a result, the donor agencies at home and abroad have become more pessimistic as they are not getting chances to support the survivors in the quake-hit districts. A large chunk of budget is on the verge of freezing while, on the other hand, the quake survivors are not getting warm clothes and cozy shelter these days. Surprisingly, the cadres of different political parties are enjoying foreign trips in the name of quake-affected. The locals of Karauja village complained that they are yet to get Rs 15,000 provided by the government meant for the quake-affected household. Though different governmental and non-governmental bodies were providing supports to the survivors in other places, the folks in Karauja were not paid heed even from the donors. Chief District Officer of Gorkha district Uddhav Parsad Timelsina, District Forest Officer Jeevnath Poudel and Chief at the Irrigation Office Lok Bahadur Thapa recently visited Indonesia in the name of inspecting the reconstruction projects as well. Similarly, seven other officials have recently visited China in the name of quake survivors. As many as 9,000 households were registered at the District Natural Disaster and Rescue Office seeking relief and about 7,000 applications are under investigations, said Deependra Poudel, Assistant CDO. Poudel added that the genuine victims would get relief after investigations into their applications. Similarly, quake survivors at Barpak, Saurpani, Laprak, Swanra, Ghyalchowk, Gumda, Lapu, Manbu, Samagaun, Lho, Prok, Bihi, Chumchet, Chhekampara are still living under the tents. It is said that a total of Rs 30 billion is required for the reconstruction of the quake-ravaged properties in Gorkha district alone. CDO Timelsina said that Rs 12 billion would be received from different NGOS and INGOs while remaining budget should be arranged by government itself for reconstruction in the district. The World Food Programme (WFP), World Vision, Care Nepal and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and others have expressed their readiness for conducting the reconstruction projects. However, they were awaiting government permission for the same. As many as 65,000 houses, 494 school, 80 health posts and 31 police posts were damaged by the April 25 earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks in the district. RSS
