Govt in process of building safe nation, says Prime Minister Oli; takes stock of heritage reconstruction at Patan

Kathmandu / Jan 16:Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is in the process of building a ‘safe’ nation.

In a message on the occasion of the ’21st National Earthquake Safety Day’, he said “We are into a campaign to construct safe housing, school buildings and settlements. We will build all structures that are earthquake resilient.”

Referring to the devastating earthquake of April, 2015, PM Oli said the government has arranged for reconstructing safe settlements for the quake survivors that are residing in public lands. “The government has brought into effect the Integrated Working Procedure for Subsidised Credit 2018, through which those quake survivors unable to start reconstruction of their houses for want of adequate funds can seek for concessional loans up to Rs 300,000. The process to provide additional Rs 50,000 grant and technical aid to those senior citizens and children affected by the quake to rebuild their earthquake resistant houses has started.”

In a bid to make reconstruction sustainable, local level has been handed resources and the responsibility to reconstruct archaeological structures damaged by the quake, and ancient originality have been taken into account in the process, read the message.

Arrangements have been made to provide additional Rs 50,000 grant to rebuild six settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and outside in their original style. Province and local level has been equipped with enough resources and manpower to tackle natural disasters, he said in the message. “The government is always committed to adopting preparedness for natural disasters and dealing with post-earthquake risks.”

PM takes stock of heritage reconstruction at Patan

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visited Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur to appraise reconstruction works of historical monuments on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Oli took stock of the under-reconstruction monuments at the UNESCO world heritage site heavily damaged by the 2015 April earthquake at the call of Lalitpur Metropolis Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan on the occasion of the 21st National Earthquake Safety Day.

The PM during his visit expressed satisfaction over ‘good progress’ in the rebuilding efforts and remarked that government has prioritised reconstruction of religious and cultural heritages.

Nepal observes January 16 as the National Earthquake Safety Day in commemoration of the 1934’s (Magh 2, 1990 BS) devastating earthquake. RSS