Sindhupalchowk, Manang declared disaster-hit districts

The government has declared Sindhupalchowk and Manang as disaster-hit districts for the time being until mid-October this year. These districts had recorded a significant loss of lives and properties towards mid-June this year due to monsoon-induced disaster.

Melamchi Bazar in Melamchi of Sindhupalchowk has been in the lurch since the recent massive flood. Likewise, Tal Bazar and other places in Manang have been at risk of landslides and floods.

The decision was made at the meeting of the Council of Ministers here on Monday, according to Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and government spokesperson, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki.

Similarly, a decision was made to request various countries producing COVID-19 vaccines to provide it through grant assistance. The government of Nepal extended its gratitude towards those countries providing vaccine supplies to Nepal and supporting Nepal in its fight against the pandemic, according to Minister Karki.

The government of China has provided 1.8 million doses of vaccines in two phases. An additional quantity of the vaccines was procured by Nepal under grant assistance.

Likewise, Nepal received 1.1 million doses of vaccine to the Nepali Army under grant assistance. The government of the USA has provided over 1.5 million doses of the vaccine. Pledges for vaccines supplies to Nepal from vaccine-producing countries continue to pour in.

The meeting declared coming July 21 a public holiday on the occasion of one of the biggest festivals of the Muslims- Bakra-Eid. A delegation of the Muslims had demanded with the government to declare the day as a public holiday, stating that it was one of their important festivals.

The government decided to declare the day a public holiday as per their demand, said Minister Karki.

Furthermore, it was decided that there will be three flights to India from Nepal in a week. Currently, there were two weekly flights from Nepal to India.