Quake-hit house to get Rs. 200,000

Kathmandu November 26- The National Planning Commission (NPC) is considering over commencing long-delayed post-earthquake reconstruction works by extending a grant of up to Rs 200,000 each to owners of private houses destroyed by the earthquakes of April and May.

Upon receipt of the grant amount, private house owners must build quake-resistant houses based on design approved by division offices or District Project Implementation Units of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. However, owners, who have acquired concessional loans of up to Rs 2.5 million from banks and financial institutions to build their houses damaged or destroyed by quakes, will not be eligible for the grant amount, says the guideline.

As per the guideline, the grant amount of Rs 200,000 would be extended in four installments of 25 per cent, 30 per cent, 35 per cent and 10 per cent. The first installment should be used to build the foundation and plinth. The second installment should be utilized to build the walls. The third installment should be used to build the roof and carry out minor finishing works, and the fourth installment should be utilized to build toilet and conduct remaining finishing works.

Each installment would be released after technical experts oversee the progress during site visits, says the guideline.  Source: THT