Though there were discussions over forming an independent authority, the NPC came up with a proposal to form Implementation Committee claiming that it would build a sense of ownership among all the government agencies.

The NPC proposal, submitted to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Wednesday, is expected to be endorsed by the Cabinet on Thursday. “The proposed body will be free of political influence and it will work transparently,” said PM Koirala while receiving the proposal.

According to NPC officials, the formation of PM-led body would help execute work without delay. It will function as a guiding and coordinating body while ministries will be mobilised to implement the programme, NPC member Chandra Mani Adhikari said. “This is to ensure that the government agencies feel ownership over the body.”

However considering poor performance records of ministries over the past few years—clearly reflected in low capital spending—there are doubts over the timely implementation of reconstruction works.

Besides more resources at its disposal than any of the existing government agencies, the proposed body will enjoy  sweeping powers to implement policies and Acts related to land acquisition and resettlement.

It will also have independent office, staffers and will have right to appoint service providers.

The PM-led body will include Home Minister, Finance Minister and Urban Development Minister, Chief Secretary, Army chief, NPC vice-chairman.

The PM will appoint the vice-chairman who will be in charge of daily operations of a secretariat to be formed under the committee.

Among its staff will be a chief executive officer and three experts.

As per the NPC proposal, the agency will have a mandate to directly communicate with donors by notifying the Finance Ministry and communicate with international and non-government organisations by notifying the Social Welfare Council.

According to the proposal, the major job of the Implementation Committee will to ensure implementation of reconstruction and rehabilitation works within certain time frame, purchase goods and services in transparent and fast pace, determine standards for reconstruction and new construction, settlements, infrastructure and housing, and implement resettlement and reconstruction works after scientific and technical studies.  

Though the government had said that the high-level body would be formed through a separate Act, the NPC has proposed to establish it through a Cabinet’s Formation Order. As it would take longer to form the body through an Act, it was proposed to set it up through Formation Order, said NPC Vice-chairman Govinda Raj Pokharel.

“The Cabinet will decide the tenure of such body,” he added.  

It can provide special salary and allowance package to the staffers and will have rights to draft in suitable employees from the government, educational institutes, donor agencies, security agencies under deputation.

The body will have a secretariat led by vice-chairman whose rank will be that of a minister and chief executive officer ranked special class officer and three experts in social, economic and infrastructure areas.