KATHMANDU, July 13: The government has approved a comprehensive special package on rehabilitation, livelihood support and social protection for the families of those killed and injured during the Gen-Z movement.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has directed all ministries to begin implementing the approved programs immediately, setting a seven-day deadline for action.
Announcing the decision through social media on Monday, Gurung said all ministries had already been instructed to implement the Cabinet-approved integrated package within one week following extensive preparations.
The package was endorsed by the Cabinet on July 2 through an integrated proposal certified by then Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal.
Dashain aayo (again)
Under the package, children or siblings of those killed in the Gen-Z movement, as well as those seriously injured, will receive free education in community schools from the basic level through to bachelor's degree programs.
The Ministry of Health and Population has been instructed to arrange health insurance coverage of up to Rs 1.5 million within 15 days to cover free treatment and surgeries for seriously injured individuals. The package also provides for a 50 percent discount on public transportation fares and reserved seating for those critically injured, to be implemented within the same timeframe.
To support livelihoods and economic rehabilitation, martyrs’ families and injured individuals will be eligible for concessional collateral-free loans of up to Rs 1.5 million for a maximum period of five years for self-employment.
The government has also decided to grant a full customs duty waiver on the import of one vehicle for self-employment purposes in the next fiscal year, up to a value of Rs 1.5 million for petrol or diesel vehicles and Rs 2 million for electric vehicles. One eligible member from the family of a martyr or an injured person will also receive first priority for contractual positions in government agencies, subject to qualifications.
The package also calls for the formation of an investigation committee to recommend the withdrawal of cases filed against individuals for their involvement in the movement, excluding serious and heinous criminal offences.
Families of 10 people who died during the movement—five at the Naubasta Juvenile Correction Home in Banke, two at Dhading Prison and three at Ramechhap Prison—will each receive Rs 500,000 in relief assistance.
The ministries of home affairs and social security have been tasked with arranging appropriate educational support for students whose studies were disrupted and providing free prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs within three months to those who lost legs during the movement.
According to the proposal submitted by Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki, a Gen-Z Welfare Council will be established in the future to facilitate implementation of the overall package.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers will oversee implementation, inter-agency coordination and monitoring of the various programs included in the package.
