Nepal PM to visit India for quake help

Kathmandu, May 18: Following the deadly Nepal earthquake of April 25 and the subsequent ones till Mmay 12, Nepal PM Sushil Koirala will be meeting Indian premiers to discuss long-term plans on rehabilitation and reconstruction of Nepal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Prakash Man Singh said,"Prime Minister Koirala will soon visit India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss matters relating to rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the country on long-term basis."

Appreciating the kind of assistance that Nepal has received from its neighbors India and China, Koirala thanks the former saying that Modi was the first to call him after the earthquake hit first. Since then, the premier has been in regular contact with his Indian counterpart after the disaster killed over 9,000 people and destroyed 5,00,000 homes.

In its darkest hours, India has provided 15,000 tonnes of relief material including tarpauline. IAF has rescued several stranded in remote areas. Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae is visiting the quake-hit areas to monitor the rescue operation.

Nepal has estimated a damage of USD 10 billion. It has announced to establish a fund of Rs 200 billion, for which it has committed Rs 20 billion as seed money. For the rest, it is seeking the help of donor countries including India.

OneIndia News