PM mulls changing NRA staff

Published On: September 23, 2016 04:00 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Being unhappy with the performance of the existing structure and officials at the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is mulling over changes in the reconstruction body staff, one of the aides to the prime minister said.

Dahal has called a meeting of the NRA's directive committee for Sunday to discuss its performance. “The prime minister has expressed serious dissatisfaction over the performance of the NRA as it failed to conclude distribution of first tranche of housing grant assistance to quake victims within the given 45-day deadline,” said the prime minister's press advisor Govinda Acharya. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Dahal had instructed Acting Chief Secretary Tanka Mani Sharma to probe the 'sluggish' working style of the authority. Later in the day, the prime minister's secretariat issued a statement saying that the prime minister is ready even to change office bearers at the NRA and restructure it if needed for making it more effecitve.
 
“He is not for pointing finger at any individual over poor performance of the NRA. He is for reviewing the entire work system. However, if any individual is found problematic and obstruction to improvement, the prime minister wouldn't hesitate to take strong action,” said Acharya.
 
The prime minister has instructed respective ministers, chief secretary, secretaries, and NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali to share ideas and come up with an action plan for improving NRA performance.
 
According to Dahal's secretariat, the meeting on Sunday will also review various issues ranging from performance of the office bearers, its work procedures, reason behind the failure of the NRA to distribute grant assistance to all the quake victims even after a year of the earthquakes, and implementation of government announcement to provide additional Rs 100,000 grant assistance to quake victims to rebuild their houses. The government had earlier decided to provide Rs 200,000 for the purpose. After assuming office, Dahal announced to increase the money.

Prime Minister Dahal has also floated the idea of appointing executive officers in each of the 14 most-affected districts for expediting grant distribution and rebuilding tasks, said his aides.

Press Advisor Acharya said Dahal is also unhappy with the NRA for not properly coordinating with international aid agencies in the rebuilding task.


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