The Donor Agencies’ conference on reconstruction for quake-hit Gorkha district kicked off in Pokhara on Friday.

The conference is expected to devise short, medium and long-term reconstruction plans to rebuild the quake-ravaged villages in Gorkha.

Representatives from various government agencies, and national and international donor agencies are participating in the conference. On the first day of the conference, the donor agencies’ representatives urged for immediate formation of Reconstruction Authority to begin the reconstruction projects. They expressed concern over the delay in the endorsement of the National Reconstruction Authority Bill though seven months have passed since the April 25 earthquake.

Nepali Congress Gorkha Chapter President Hari Ghale said that as many as 13,000 quake-hit persons in Gorkha were still awaiting for the reconstruction projects to begin in their villages. Chief District Officer of Gorkha Uddav Prasad Timilsena said separate strategy will be formulated in view of reconstruction in Gorkha upon the formation of the Reconstruction Authority.

The conference will also dwell and discuss about the rescue and relief operations undertaken so far as well as about the budget the donor agencies have allocated for reconstruction.