Kathmandu— Prime Minister Balendra Shah and all members of his Cabinet will donate one month’s salary and remuneration to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, following a decision made during a Friday Cabinet meeting. The move aims to provide immediate support to individuals and businesses impacted by recent flooding, particularly in areas along the Nepal-China border at Rasuwagadhi, the Bhote Koshi River, and downstream regions. The government also directed the Ministry of Finance to develop a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for those affected.

Disaster Relief Funding

The Cabinet’s decision to contribute salaries represents an immediate financial injection into the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is intended to provide assistance to communities and individuals struggling with the aftermath of recent floods, which have caused significant damage in several areas of Nepal.

The affected regions include Rasuwagadhi, a key border crossing point with China, as well as areas along the Bhote Koshi River and its downstream tributaries. The government has prioritized providing aid to these particularly vulnerable locations.

Rehabilitation Package Development

Beyond the immediate salary contributions, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Finance to formulate a detailed relief and rehabilitation package. This package will be designed to address both the short-term needs of those displaced or injured by the floods, as well as long-term recovery efforts for affected businesses and infrastructure.

The scope of this package is expected to encompass financial assistance, reconstruction support, and potentially other forms of aid aimed at helping communities rebuild their lives.

Fertilizer Procurement Approved

In a separate decision, the Cabinet granted preliminary approval for the Agricultural Inputs Company Limited to procure 25,000 tonnes of DAP fertilizer from India. This procurement will be conducted through a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process.

The move is intended to support Nepal’s agricultural sector by providing essential inputs for the upcoming planting season.

The Ministry of Finance is now tasked with developing the detailed relief and rehabilitation package, which will be crucial in supporting long-term recovery efforts following the recent floods.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.