The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has begun distributing tablet computers to engineers for managing data and increasing resource mobilisation.

With an aim to improve coordination between agencies and data management in order to prevent delays in disbursement of grant to the survivors of 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, the authority recently distributed an additional 284 units of tablet computers.

“Around 1,000 engineers have been provided with tablet computers,” said Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, deputy spokesperson for the NRA. All the engineers on the NRA rolls will be distributed the device in the next two months. Around 3,000 engineers have been mobilised in the quake-affected districts. Engineers armed with a tablet computer will deliver report directly to the central server. Besides, they also submit pictures confirming records that houses were rebuilt following quake resilient measures as prescribed by the government. 

In the immediate aftermath of the Gorkha Earthquake, the government had decided to provide Rs200,000 to each household in rebuilding grant. The amount was later increased to Rs300,000 to be paid in three instalments—Rs 50,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000. The NRA has set certain procedure to be eligible for each tranche of the aid. Lethargic manual process, the NRA conceded, had contributed to duplication of data and involvement of multiple agencies making it difficult for quake survivors to receive benefits.

With engineers updating data directly from the site, several government agencies involved in grant distribution and reconstruction process can now access the data and initiate tasks under their jurisdiction. Moreover, the initiative is also expected to help efficient management of data in future.

The NRA recently launched the Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS), featuring information about the progress and other aspects of post-earthquake reconstruction works. The information can also be accessed by the public and stakeholders concerned. All the stakeholders involved in the reconstruction process, according to the NRA, will benefit from the launching of PMIS and distribution of tablet computers as it allows access to information as it happens.