Disaster-hit Gulmi families yet to receive final tranche of housing aid

By Tilachan Pandey,Tamghas (Gulmi), Dec. 14: Disaster-hit families in Gulmi said they are struggling to receive the second and final tranche of the housing grants provided for rebuilding their homes.

Those who lost their homes to fires and monsoon-related disasters rebuild their homes based on recommendations from their local levels and the decision of the District Disaster Management Committee.

Padam Prasad Pandey of Harmichaur, Sirkot, in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-1, said it has been nearly two years since he completed rebuilding his house, yet he has not received the second tranche.

“When I go to the local office, they tell me the request has been sent. The technicians said the money has not come,” he said.

He added that receiving the payment has become more difficult than building the house itself. “It is painful when suppliers and labourers come asking for their payments for roofing sheets, cement and other construction materials,” he said.

On April 20, 2024, a fire that spread from a community forest destroyed 26 houses in Sidungkha of Isma Rural Municipality-2. A total of 49 houses were destroyed in Isma during the incident.

Although fire survivors have completed rebuilding their homes, they said that they have only received Rs. 100,000 from the rural municipality and the first instalment of the grant. Other payments are still pending. “Not receiving the remaining amount has added to our suffering,” said Mina Rayamajhi, a fire survivor from Sidungkha.

She said that the burden has increased as suppliers and workers continue to demand their dues for construction materials. Another survivor, Basundhara Kunwar, said it was disappointing that they have not received the promised payments even after building houses according to government standards.

According to Hari Prasad Gaire, Assistant Chief District Officer at the Gulmi District Administration Office, 784 people have been listed as beneficiaries since 2021. All have received the first instalment of Rs. 50,000. Of them, 305 have received the second instalment of Rs. 200,000 and 255 have received the final instalment of Rs. 150,000.

Gaire said the payment of the second and third instalments has been delayed due to recent changes in the central government’s software, which has taken time to set up, along with some technical issues.

Each beneficiary is entitled to a total of Rs. 400,000 -- Rs. 300,000 from the federal government and Rs. 100,000 from Lumbini Province.