Victims of April’s earthquake have suffered immensely. But the very existence of the body tasked with helping them, the Reconstruction Authority, is now in danger because of the government’s indifference. To receive help from donors, the government formed the Authority and appointed its chief through an ordinance which would have to be replaced with a bill within 60 days. This could not happen because of political wrangling and the government’s inefficiency.
The government claims that the Authority has not actually been revoked. The three major parties have agreed to pass a bill in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to re-establish the Authority. On June 22, President Ram Baran Yadav issued the ordinance. Though a replacement bill was registered in the CA a month later, it was not presented in the parliamentary session. It is possible that the whole issue of the Reconstruction Authority will fall by the wayside because the political polarization is expected to deepen. It is imperative now that we heal the wounds of the quake-affected. For that, the necessary legal mechanisms must be urgently put in place.