Flood-hit students get scholarships, National Assembly panel seeks damage data from 49 wards

The government has named the scholarship announced by five private school institutions for students affected by the Bhotekoshi flood in Bhadra the 'Sunischit Bhavishya Scholarship Scheme.'

Under the announcement, scholarships worth about Rs 1 billion will be given to nearly 1,000 students. The flood affected thousands of students in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Study and Monitoring Committee on the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki Corridor Disaster has asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment for separate, verified details of the damage in all 49 affected wards. Committee chair Krishna Prasad Paudel said data on the damage in all wards was needed even before the field inspection.

Ministry Secretary Dr Rajendra Prasad Mishra said agricultural losses are being calculated based on crop damage, past productivity and current market prices.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, about 5,200 households in the three worst-hit districts have received a livelihood grant of Rs 45,000 per family. The authority said the second installment would be distributed before Tihar.

However, delays in beneficiary identification, registration and verification mean many victims have complained of not receiving even the minimum assistance on time. Most of the displaced are still staying in holding centers.