Govt decides to allocate Rs 8.25 billion from MP Development Fund for post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction; bans TikTok

Kathmandu / Nov 13: The government has decided to allocate Rs 8.25 billion from the MP Development Fund for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Jajarkot earthquake victims.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday morning decided to transfer Rs 8.25 billion of the MP Development Fund to the Disaster Management Fund to be spent on post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction. Communication Minister Rekha Sharma stated that it has been decided to provide Rs 10 billion for disaster management by adding Rs 1.75 billion more in the MP Development Fund.

In the budget of the current fiscal year 2023/24, Rs 8.25 billion were allocated for the infrastructure development program of the parliamentary constituency at the rate of Rs 50 million rupees for each constituency. In the writ filed against this, the Supreme Court directed not to implement this program.

The government has appealed to individuals, organizations and the international community to provide support to the disaster management fund, saying that it appears that the reconstruction after the earthquake will require much more resources than the initial estimate.

The Council of Ministers meeting has decided to give Rs 50,000 to make temporary housing for the families whose houses have been partially or completely damaged in the earthquake.

This amount will be given in two installments. Disaster management funds will be sent to the local level and the family’s self-declaration and ward recommendation will be sent to the beneficiary’s bank account.

The procedures for providing grants will be as determined by the Disaster Management Executive Committee. For the construction of temporary housing, the Ministry of Urban Development will provide technical assistance through the relevant local government.

It has requested the provincial government to coordinate with the union and the local level to provide manpower as needed and to monitor the temporary housing construction and technical operation. An all-party mechanism of political parties will be formed under the coordination of elected people’s representatives in the local level and wards to maintain the necessary understanding and cooperation.

Similarly, it has been decided that the Ministry of Finance will immediately provide the funds for fuel expenses from the budget available for search and rescue and relief to the local administration and security agencies of the earthquake-affected areas.

The Council of Ministers has instructed the Chief Secretary to conduct a study and submit a report on ensuring all buildings and structures, including personal residences, as they are at high vulnerability to earthquakes, natural disasters, and climate change.

Govt decides to ban Tiktok in Nepal

The government of Nepal has decided to prohibit the use of the social network platform Tiktok.

Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said that the decision was made to ban TikTok at today’s cabinet meeting.

The closure of TikTok has been deemed necessary due to concerns about its impact on social harmony.

Minister Sharma clarified that the decision to shut down TikTok will be implemented promptly, with no specific deadline set. “Technically, the implementation of the decision to ban TikTok will take some time, but the decision will be implemented,” stated Minister Sharma.

NTA directs ISPs to block access to TikTok

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has issued a directive to internet service providers (ISPs) in Nepal to block access to TikTok, a social media app. The circular comes in response to the government decision to impose a ban on TikTok.

The Cabinet meeting on Monday decided to ban this social media platform in Nepal citing that it was spreading propaganda, negatively affecting family structure and social harmony.

NTA Chair Purushottam Khanal said internet service providers including WorldLink have already disabled people’s access to the app and those remaining to do it have been directed to follow the government decision.

The headquarters of TikTok has been informed about the decision of banning the app in Nepal, it is said.