KATHMANDU, Dec 30: The government is moving forward with plans to make a one-time payment covering the next 10 years to the families of Gen Z martyrs, drawing payment from the Reconstruction Fund.
A letter from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has put officials in a delicate spot. Sources at MoF say Rs 127 million had been deposited in the Reconstruction Fund as of Monday. Paying 10 years’ allowance in advance to 42 martyrs’ families would require Rs 119 million—nearly depleting the fund.
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Families of the Gen Z martyrs have demanded a lump-sum payment calculated at Rs 21,800 per month, covering 12 months plus an extra month for Dashain—totaling 13 months annually. Under this plan, each family would receive payment for 130 months at once, amounting to Rs 2.834 million per family. If approved, the total payout to all 42 families would reach Rs 119.028 million, directly transferred to individual bank accounts.
On December 7, the Gen Z Martyrs’ Families Welfare Society submitted a formal application to the MoF. Following its forwarding to the Reconstruction Fund, preparations for disbursement began, sources said. The fund’s governance includes the MoF, Ministry of Home Affairs, and MoUD, with the chief secretary as an ex officio member. The MoUD serves as the fund’s secretariat, with its secretary acting as member secretary of the fund committee.
The application requested that the total deposited amount in the Reconstruction Fund be disbursed as a lump sum to the families, covering 10 years at Rs 21,800 per month. The MoF forwarded it with instructions to “discuss and decide at the Reconstruction Fund Management Committee meeting.” A letter was sent to the MoUD, but no committee meeting has been held since, reportedly due to the busy schedules of its members.
Ministry sources note that Clause 9 of the Reconstruction Fund Operation Formation Order allows fund money to be used for reconstruction, economic recovery, and relief and rehabilitation. A senior official stated, “Without a Cabinet decision and formal procedures, the money cannot be distributed. It seems the MoF is trying to shift the responsibility entirely onto the MoUD.”
The Reconstruction Fund was formed after the Gen Z movement, with public contributions invited. Some members of the public deposited money, which is currently held in an account at Rastriya Banijya Bank.
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