NC, UML, Nepal Bank, Construction Industry Council donate Rs. 130 million in PMDRF

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 7: Two big ruling parties—the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML)--contributed Rs. 5 million each to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF) on Sunday. 

Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur and other NC leaders met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar and handed over the Cheque of Rs. 5 million along with a  34-point suggestion letter. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli praised the Nepali Congress for advocating unity among political parties in the face of natural calamities.

“The government will prioritise these suggestions, as disasters impact all citizens, regardless of caste, age, or religion,” said PM Oli, reaffirming his commitment to lead the government’s efforts in this regard.

The Nepali Congress has called for collaboration with the government to effectively confront disasters and prepare for future challenges, emphasising the need for unity in these endeavours. NC leaders, including Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, party vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, and General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, were present on the occasion. The relief provided by the party also included the NC lawmakers’ a half month’s salary. 

Likewise, a team led by UML senior vice chairman Ishwar Pokharel presented a cheque of Rs. 5 million to Prime Minister Oli.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Oli underscored the collective responsibility of all citizens and government entities in addressing disaster situations. He stated that the government would take the lead in disaster response efforts, affirming the active engagement of all three levels of government and relevant state agencies.

The decision to donate the amount was made during a meeting of the UML’s secretariat and parliamentary party on October 1, where it was also resolved that MPs would contribute an amount equivalent to half a month’s salary to the fund.

The cheque hand-over event was attended by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, CPN-UML party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung,  Deputy General Secretaries Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Secretary Raghubir Mahaseth.

Similarly, the IME group handed over Rs. 50 million to the fund on Sunday. 

Chairman of the group Chandra Prasad Dhakal handed over the cheque of Rs. 50 million to Prime Minister Oli on behalf of the Global IME Bank, IME Group and the organisations associated with it. It was the largest amount donated to the Fund after its creation. 

According to a press statement issued by the Global IME Bank, a total of Rs. 50 million, including Rs. 45 million of Global IME Bank Limited, Rs. 2 million of IME Limited, Rs. 1.5 million of IGI Prudential Insurance and Rs. 1.5 million of IME Life have contributed to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Meanwhile, Nepal Bank Limited has donated Rs. 20 million to the PMDRM. A team from the bank including its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Chandra Bahadur Adhikari handed over a cheque of that amount to PM Oli at his office on Sunday. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli thanked the bank and asked it to provide loans so as to promote the investors and industries and strictly control the non-performing loans. 

Similarly, the Nepal Construction Industry Development Council presented a cheque of Rs. 10 million to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. 

Devendra Dahal, Chairman of the Council and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, delivered the cheque at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar.

During the event, Minister of Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak, Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Keshav Kumar Sharma, President of the Nepal Construction Industry Federation Ravi Singh, and others discussed development and construction issues, as well as existing legal and practical challenges. Prime Minister Oli emphasised the need to address recurring problems instead of merely discussing them.

Likewise, Nepal Insurance handed over Rs. 5 million  NMB Bank Rs. Rs. 5.1 million and MetLife Insurance handed over Rs. 2.5 million. 

According to the PMO secretariate, Rs. 102. 6 has been collected in the Fund as of Sunday. 

Earlier on Friday, various institutions had donated Rs. 34.8 million to the PMDRF.