The distribution of the first tranche of the private housing aid has gained momentum since August 5, a day after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal pledged to distribute the aid to all earthquake-affected families within 45 days.

Of the total 531,937 households identified as ‘true beneficiaries’ from the 11 most-affected districts by last year’s devastating earthquakes, 70,803 households have received the first instalment amounting to Rs 50,000 as of Wednesday.

An additional 27,921 households have received the first tranche of the aid since Prime Minister Dahal assumed his office, according to the data released by

the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) on Wednesday.

“We are working to expedite the process of signing agreements and distributing the housing aid to the locals. We are hopeful to meet the target within the given time,” said NRA Spokesperson Ram Thapaliya.  

The delayed in reconstruction works has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, especially the locals from the affected districts.

The NRA had distributed the first instalment of the aid to only 42,882 households in 11-districts until August 5.

On August 15, the authority launched a month-long special reconstruction campaign that aims to provide the first instalment of aid money to all beneficiaries by September 18.