5,669 quake victims in Jajarkot yet to get first tranche of grant

By Basudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Mar. 9: More than four months elapsed since an earthquake struck Jajarkot district. However, the quake-displaced individuals have not yet received the first tranche of the grant to build their temporary houses. 

Due to the delays done by the local government, the federal government’s funds for temporary housing construction have not reached the victims and many of the earthquake victims are still homeless. Even today, 5,669 beneficiaries are struggling to receive the first instalment of the government grant to build temporary houses.

Most of the earthquake victims are compelled to move to their dilapidated houses to avoid the chilling cold while some victims are staying under the tents. The government-supervised distribution process at the local level is progressing at a snail’s pace. 

Of Rs. 1.034 billion allocated to the District Disaster Management Committee’s fund for temporary housing construction, seven municipalities have distributed the first tranche of Rs. 25,000 to 36,855 beneficiaries, totalling Rs. 921.3 million.

Harishchandra Sharma, the Information and Administrative Officer of the District Administration Office, said that 5,669 beneficiaries are yet to receive the first tranche.

Out of 36,855 beneficiaries who received the first tranche, 25,987 were supported by the central government’s grant, and 10,868 were supported by donor agencies. Among the 42,524 beneficiaries, only 36,855 beneficiaries have received the first tranche after negotiations for the release of the first instalment to 37,048 households in all seven local levels.

Beneficiaries receiving the first tranche

In Bheri Municipality, out of 6,634 established beneficiaries, 4,746 who signed agreements for the first instalment have received it. Only 3,050 temporary houses have been constructed, leaving 1,888 beneficiaries awaiting their first tranche.

In Nalgad Municipality, out of 8,097 established beneficiaries, 7,904 have received the first tranche, despite all 8,097 agreeing with the municipality for payment. A total of 7,517 temporary housing units have been constructed in the municipality, with 6,995 funded by the government and 522 by leaders and workers of charity organisations. In the municipality, 193 beneficiaries are yet to receive the first tranche.

 In Chhedagad Municipality, out of 8,205 established beneficiaries, 7,231 have signed agreements for the first tranche, and all of them got it. However, 974 beneficiaries are yet to receive the first tranche. A total of 5,615 temporary houses have been constructed with government support.

In Barekot Rural Municipality, out of 5,586 established beneficiaries, 4,896 have signed agreements for the municipality’s funds and received, it but 690 beneficiaries have not yet received the first instalment of the grant.

In the rural municipality, a total of 4,511 temporary houses have been constructed including 4,255 beneficiaries through government funding and 256 temporary housing have been constructed through donor agencies. 

All 5,287 established beneficiaries in Kushe Rural Municipality have signed agreements for the first instalment, and 5,003 beneficiaries have received it, while 284 beneficiaries have not received the first tranche yet.  A total of 2,585 temporary houses have been built in Kushe with the government’s subsidy.

Junichande Rural Municipality has identified 5,406 beneficiaries, with 3,928 of them having received the first instalment for temporary housing. However, 1,478 beneficiaries have not yet received the amount. Altogether 1,582 temporary houses have been constructed with government grants.

In Shivalaya Rural Municipality, 3,309 beneficiaries have been identified. Out of these, 3,147 beneficiaries who signed agreements for the first tranche have received it, while 162 beneficiaries have not received it yet. Altogether 1,905 temporary houses have been constructed with government support.

Shiva Prasad Sharma of Bheri Municipality-3 has said that it is still uncertain when the funds for temporary housing will be received, and there is no clarity on when funds for reconstruction will be received. 

Due to the local government’s negligence, earthquake-affected individuals have been unable to obtain funds for temporary housing, which raises doubts about the possibility of reconstruction.

The undistributed funds remain in the local government’s account. None of the beneficiaries has received the second instalment for temporary housing construction.

Delays in the construction of temporary housing and fund distribution have forced earthquake victims, especially those in tents, to stay in dilapidated houses. Those who have not received funds on time have lost hope for the reconstruction of their houses.