At the program entitled “Post Earthquake: Settlement, Planning and Housing” held on the 92nd birth anniversary of GP Koirala and organized by the GP Koirala Foundation, Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala stressesd on the need to develop settlements into model villages for future resilience and development.
Recollecting memories of her late Father, Koirala said that the Constitution will definitely come along with the passing of the draft Constitution. She said that everyone should forge ahead together for a bright future for the next generations.
Koirala also informed that there has been agreement with two Chinese institutions and the GP Koirala for the iling of model villages which will portray the culture and identification of the countries people. She added that the Chinese institutions with which an agreement has been made have contributed tremendously to the development of China and many other countries and therefore will contribute to the development of Nepal also.
Reconstruction must be carried out according to government guidelines and laws and the Foundation will therefore also work closely in coordination with the Government, as per the norms and rules set out them, she added.
Leader Koirala, informed that the model villages will portray the culture and the identification of the country’s heritage as well as promote tourism.
Chief Guest, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the government is evaluating plans for the effective implementation of the kind support committed by the donor organizations during the International Donors Conference held in Kathmandu on 25th June 2015 to reconstruct the nation after the devastating April 25th & 12th earthquake. The Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) conducted by the Nepal Government was estimated at 6.6 Billion USD out of which the international commitment stood for over 4.4 Billion USD.
Mahat further said that the government is preparing to develop well managed integrated resettlement and reconstruction plans which is under discussion in national policy levels and stressed on the need to develop well managed and modern settlements by centralizing the scattered housing in one cluster for the fulfillment of people’s basic needs such as health, education and drinking water. The developments of infrastructure for settlement of new cluster villages in earthquake hit areas are essential for reconstruction and resettlement of earthquake victims that shook the nation on April 2015. He said that a reconstruction authority that has been formed for the nation’s reconstruction which will start their work at the earliest.
He further clarified that the construction rights will be given to the concerned persons and the government will only provide technical and other support needed for rebuilding homes. He repeated that installment support amount will only be provided by the government to those who adhere to the basic conditions determined by the government to build houses.
Mahat also informed that the CTEVT is in the process of providing technical training to 44 to 45 thousand technicians required for the reconstruction work.
Vice Chancellor of National Science and Technical Academy (NAST) Dr. Jib Raj Pokharel informed about the different models incorporated by countries and cities devastated by earthquake and opined that reconstruction in Nepal should have its own individuality.
He said that reconstruction must be done by using local resources and modernizing Nepali labor and skills.
Dr. Pokharel also opined that the culture and identification must be portrayed while transferring habitats. This transfer should take place in the mid-hilly region and attention must be given to the livelihood of the residents by developing industrial centers in the areas.
Former Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel suggested that there should be massive planning for this processes since only a few of the resettlements in the past have been successful.
Member of National Planning Commission Swarnim Wagle said that discussions are ongoing in the commission on the policies related to reconstruction which will be given a final shape before implementation after discussions with all the concerned authorities. He said that priority must be given to women also in the affected areas while developing skilled human resources as they will remain in the villages and the income generated by these women will help to boost the local economy.
Engineer Mr. Hari Darshan Shrestha, spoke on his experiences in reconstruction in many earthquake hit countries.
Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr. Bijan Pant made his remarks focusing on post earthquake reconstruction and new construction.
On behalf of the GP Koirala Foundation, Hon. Ram Chandra Pokhrel gave the vote of thanks to everybody present on the occasion. NC Leader Pokhrel lauded the immense contribution made by the legendary leader of Nepal, late Girija Prasad Koirala in transforming Nepal into a Federal Democratic Republic peacefully and also his historical role played in bringing the Maoist rebels into the democratic political stream by ending an over a decade long insurgency in the country. Hon. Ram Chandra Pokhrel also praised the Chairperson of GP Koirala Foundation, Hon. Sujata Koirala for her role not only as the leader of NC Party but also for her active role in the ICAPP (International Conference of Asian Political Parties) Organization which is gaining its momentum globally. He informed the audience that Hon. Sujata Koirala is an active Member of the Standing Committee of the ICAPP and also the Vice Chairperson of ICAPP’s Women’s Wing.