Government Revises Work Procedure for Post-Disaster Reconstruction Under Prime Minister Employment Programme

The government has revised its work procedure to facilitate the mobilization of resources and manpower under the Prime Minister Employment Programme (PMEP) for post-disaster reconstruction efforts. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has amended the Community Project Based on Pay for Work (Operation and Management) Procedures, 2077, to enable the engagement of unemployed individuals in disaster recovery projects.

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sarat Singh Bhandari, announced that the updated procedures allow those listed as unemployed to be employed in disaster response and reconstruction activities. A new clause has been added, permitting the Executive to make swift decisions for immediate relief and disaster reduction, thus allowing for the operation of employment projects related to repair and reconstruction during various disasters.

This amendment empowers local authorities to act promptly, enabling them to initiate the repair of community infrastructure during disaster situations. Local bodies can now conduct rescue, relief, and reconstruction efforts for small projects by utilizing resources from the PMEP during future disasters.

Minister Bhandari urged local governments to mobilize the unemployed individuals listed under the programme for infrastructure repairs. He emphasized that local executives can decide to allocate the conditional grants provided through the PMEP for post-disaster infrastructure repair and maintenance.

Following recent calamities, the government has designated 41 local levels across 11 districts as Disaster-hit Zones for a duration of three months, further underscoring the urgency of these new measures.