Flood victims in Melamchi have expressed frustration over not receiving their grant payments for the past three months. Despite beginning construction, many beneficiaries of the government’s housing grant program have not received the promised funds from the previous fiscal year.

Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality Chair, Tashi Lama, stated that while some residents have started rebuilding their homes, the government has yet to release the first installment of the grants. “Many people have taken loans to rebuild their houses, hoping to repay them with government grants. They are now facing significant difficulties due to the delayed payments,” Lama added.

As house construction stalls, affected families are forced to live in risky areas. Rabi Raj Dhital, the focal person for disaster at the District Administration Office, mentioned that the Integrated Work Procedure is being revised, which has caused delays in the payment process. The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) halted payments, awaiting the finalization of a new procedure that includes earthquake victims from western Nepal within its scope.

Dhital assured that once the procedure is completed, the issue will be resolved. According to NRA data, 1,893 families have been affected by monsoon-induced disasters. The procedure, implemented in 2077 BS, outlines that Rs 500,000 will be provided for house reconstruction in mountainous districts, Rs 400,000 in hill areas, and Rs 300,000 in the Tarai.

Sindhupalchowk, classified as a mountainous district, follows a funding structure where the federal government covers 55% for municipalities and 60% for rural municipalities, with the provincial and local governments contributing the remainder.

Mayor Aitman Tamang of Melamchi Municipality explained that local governments had submitted the necessary details to the District Disaster Management Committee, but the delay in receiving funds has left many families without support. Flood victim Hari Sharan Shrestha shared his frustration, noting that even after three years since the 2021 floods, reconstruction efforts have stalled due to a lack of funds.

Asmita Danuwar, another victim from Melamchi-11, said her family has been forced to live in tents while waiting for the grant. “We were promised money in installments, but the delay has caused immense problems. Many of us are paying interest on loans from microfinance institutions,” she said.

Despite initiating house reconstruction as per government procedures, many beneficiaries still await full financial support. -- RSS