Kathmandu. Lawmaker Srijana Shrestha has demanded a clear plan from the government to manage the debt owed to the families of those who died and disappeared due to floods in Bhotekoshi and Rasuwa areas.

Stating that the floods have made a big impact on people’s business, employment and investment over the years, Shrestha said that the government should make special arrangement so that the affected families do not have to bear the burden of debt and loss of their relatives.

She said that the floods have caused a loss of billions of rupees in the tourism sector alone and 142 hotels and 75 restaurants have been affected. She said that the relief package announced by the government such as tax and customs exemption, debt restructuring, interest subvention and prompt payment of insurance claims is positive.

However, Shrestha said that the effective implementation of the relief package is important. She stressed that there is a need for a clear policy on how to manage the responsibility of the remaining loan, especially in the event of the death or disappearance of the borrower for a long time.

“The families who have lost their relatives in the floods should not have to bear the burden of debt. The government should come up with a clear and practical plan for the management of the remaining debts of the deceased and disappeared families,” Shrestha said.