State -5: Almost all local levels begin relief distribution

Kathmandu - In an effort to suppress the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, almost all local levels in State-5 have set up relief funds and begun distributing relief to the daily wage earners. The relief distribution has been made from the fund, especially to the families of breadwinners who have been rendered jobless as a result of the lockdown. In this connection, Gadawa rural municipality of Dang has set up a relief fund of Rs 5 million. Gadawa chair Sahajram Chaudhary said they decided to institute a relief fund in a way to transfer budget amounts of the programmes under different headings which were not entered into agreement.

The rural municipality also has decided to collect details of the daily wage earners and distribute first phase relief within three days by following the relief distribution guideline of the state government. In keeping with the crop harvesting time, the rural municipality has decided to allow farmers to operate tractor for cultivation, thrashers and mills. Elected people's representatives of Airawati rural municipality-4 in Pyuthan district on Thursday decided to donate their one month's allowance to the fund meant to render relief to the poorest people affected by lockdown, said ward chair Shankar Bahadur Bhandari.

Likewise, Sisne rural municipality of Rukum East has announced a relief package to 222 affected poor families in the area and its distribution would begin in two to three days as collection of details of the recipients has finished, said ward chair Kumari Baral. Likewise, Bhume rural municipality has said it would announce a relief package to the poor soon. Puthauttarganga rural municipality was collecting details of the poor people entitled to relief packages, said Rabindra Chhetri, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality.