Birgunj, Sept 5: Minister for Defence, Ishwor Pokharel, has praised the Nepal Army, saying the NA completed its responsibility in the deadline given by the government.
Addressing a programme organised to handover houses to people affected by the March 31 ‘tornado’ in Bara and Parsa districts organised here on Wednesday, Defense Minister Pokharel said that the NA has become successful to develop itself as trustworthy organisation of the people during the times of disaster by protecting national integrity and sovereignty.
He said, ‘Not only for national security, the NA has been playing its role being devoted to the Nepali people. It has developed itself as the trustworthy organisation across the nation.”
Saying Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is in Singapore in course of treatment, in a telephone conversation with him expressed concern about the matter of hand-over of the houses, acting PM Pokharel shared that PM Oli thanked all for completion of houses.
He further said that the incumbent government has been carrying out activities in order to fulfill its commitment made before the people, saying the country has moved ahead along with political stability.
Similarly, Chief Minister of State 2, Lalbabu Raut, said that the Nepal Army has set an example by constructing houses in a short period and praised NA’s role of supporting the Nepali people in any situation.
Likewise, Chief of Army Staff, Purna Chandra Thapa, expressed commitment to support the people during times of crisis, protecting Nepal’s sovereignty and territory integrity.
He said that the NA would fulfill its responsibility honestly given by the government in days ahead.
On the occasion, CM Raut handed the housing certificate of the houses constructed by the Army under the programme to chiefs of local levels for the affected people.
The Army constructed 896 earthquake-resistant houses for the affected people. The government handed the reconstruction works to the Army on April 4, 2019.
Following this, the Army led by 28 number brigade reconstructed the damaged houses in three phases. The reconstructed houses cost around 500,000 each alongside value added tax.
The government released over Rs 840 million for the reconstruction. Over 2,500 army personnel and 3,500 general people were mobilised for the reconstruction