Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Sudhan Gurung has said reports that billions of rupees were spent on helicopter rescue operations are untrue.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Wednesday, Gurung said media reports claiming that Rs 15 billion had been spent on helicopter rescues during the Bhotekoshi flood were completely incorrect. He said the actual expenditure was around Rs 140 million to Rs 200 million at most.
Gurung said families staying in temporary shelters following the Rasuwa floods would be provided Rs 15,000 per month for up to six months to rent accommodation. Families with more members will receive an additional Rs 2,000 per month, he added.
“The previous policy of providing Rs 50,000 for temporary housing or Rs 300,000 to purchase land was impractical and has been revised. Under the new plan, affected families will be provided with two-room temporary housing within six months and will eventually be rehabilitated through planned township development,” he added.
He said the government had taken seriously the difficulties and shortcomings caused by keeping postpartum women, pregnant women and children in the same holding centers in places including Nuwakot.
“We are addressing those shortcomings,” he said. “The government has begun providing funds for families so that they can rent accommodation immediately.”
