Nepal Earthquake : UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION: Ministry of Finance: Custom exemption on relief materials

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Original Document: http://mof.gov.np/uploads/news/file/Press%20release_20150503084032.pdf



Government of Nepal

Press Release from the Ministry of Finance

Date: 2072 - Baisakh - 20 [3 May 2015]

Subject: Facilities provided to ease import of relief and rescue material through exemption of customs duties

A decision has been taken by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal on 25 April 2015 and the decision is under implementation to exempt duties, including custom duties on material, of vital importance, used for the relief and rescue of people affected by the destructive earthquake of 12 Baisakh 2072 [25 April 2015].

A model agreement between the Government of Nepal and the United Nations in relation to "Import, Export and Transport of Relief Consignment and Material with the Relief Worker" has been reached and is under implementation to allow for speedy import of relief and rescue material and material with the relief workers. Similarly, at the Center-level {as in Central Government level} a joint working group coordinated by a Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and having Joint Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Immigration at the Tribhuvan Airport and representative of the Nepal Army has set up a post and is working with the intention of receiving assistance as rescue and relief material under bilateral assistance from various countries, government agencies, and other organizations.

In the case of districts outside Kathmandu, committee comprising the Chief District Officer (CDO), Local Development Officer (LDO), Chief of Customs, and Chiefs of Security Agencies of the concerned district has been formed, and based on the recommendation of the Committee, all duties on relief and rescue material has been noted in detail, and the material released after inspection.

Similarly, with the intention to facilitate the supply of tarps, used as shelter, to protect the earthquake affected from the elements, such tarps/tents imported by anyone shall not be subject to any fees or charges until 2072 Jestha 20 [3 June 2015], as per a decision taken by the Government of Nepal on 2072-01-18 [1 May 2015] {the supply} has been further facilitated.

From the implementation of the facilities/matter/issues noted above, at present, no charges/taxes are applied on on import of relief and rescue material. Such items have been inspected and released in Fast Track as per the strict instructions that have been issued to Customs Offices to give high priority to this task and conclude it quickly.

Through press release, we also appeal to everyone to not fall prey to any confusion that has been created through news media's false/incorrect/illusionary/rumourous reporting of relief material not being provided with custom exemption, now and then, and their import being made complicated.

We would also like to inform everyone that should any clarification be required on eased import of relief material, the procedures and the customs and taxes on it, please contact Mr. Laxman Aryal, Chief of Revenue Management Division of the Ministry of Finance at 98510-64222, Director-General of Department of Customs Mr. Sishir Kumar Dhungana at 98510-97837, and Under-Secretary at Ministry of Finance Mr. Dikardev Bhatt at 98414-39620.

Nepal Earthquake : UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION: Quake Affected Area-focused Immediate Relief Assistance Operational Procedure-2072 BS

Original Nepali Version: http://www.mofald.gov.np/userfiles/news_5033.pdf

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION. FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

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Government of Nepal
Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development
Quake Affected Area {focused} Immediate Relief Operation Operational Procedure, 2072

This procedure is issued pursuant to the decision of Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MFALD) of the Government of Nepal 2072-01-16 to initiate relief actions immediately, in the 12 districts announced, by the Government of Nepal, to be severely affected by the earthquake of 2072-01-12 and those that occurred there after.

1. Of the 12 districts, NRs. 900,000 to be provided to all 253 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of the following districts: Sindhupalchok, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Dhading.

2. Of the 12 districts, NRs 450,000 to be provided to all 242 VDCs of the following districts: Lalitpur, Kavrepalanchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindhuli.

3. Of the 12 districts, 11 that have municipalities (38), NRs. 200,000 tobe provided per ward (total: 578) of each Municipality in the following districts: Sindhupalchok, Gokrha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Kathmadu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindhuli.

4. Special grant to be provided as per the arrangement in the Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP) (Bi. Si. No. 365819 {note: original abbreviation in Nepali}) from the MFALD for the current fiscal year: in the case of VDCs through the District Development Committee (DDC) and in the case of Municipalities, through the directly from the Municipality.

5. Remaining within the direction of this direction {this document}, while this funds {Fund A} reaches the VDCs and municipalities through the issuance of proper authority, these VDCs and municipalities shall use any funds available to them to spend the money within 30 days. If VDCs do not have funds, the concerned DDC shall provide them funds form any of its accounts immediately. Funds spent like this shall be reconciled once funds {from note Fund A}.

6. Funds received shall be spent by VDCs and municipalities as per the headings noted below keeping in mind the requirements based onseriousness of the affect of the earthquake and due prioritization. Funds shall be utilizied on analysis of the damage caused in village and wards. {दामासाही— ना॰ [दाम+साजो कुनै सामूहिक रकम त्यसको हकदारहरूले बराबर गरेर बाँडी लिने वा दिने व्यवस्था; भागसान्ती ।} Damasahi shall not be be allowed to disburse these funds.
A) Management of drinking water, oral re hydration power (Jeewan Jal) and first aid.
B) Management of temporary camps and materials thereof, in the interim.
C) Management of food for maximum of 7 days.
D) Management of temporary latrines and cleaning.

7. While disburing funds based on this Procedure {this document}, among the people of severey affected households, priority to be given to: Women, Children, Weak, Persons with Disability, Senior Citizen and the Extreme Poor.

8. A committee, as indicated below, for the disbursement, mobilization and monitoring of the funds shall be in VDC and wards of the municipality:

In case of VDC, VDC Secretary and in case of municipality Ward Secretary	Coordinator
Coordinators of Ward Citizen Forum	Member
One woman representative designated by the committee from among the members of the Ward Citizen Forum	Member
LGCDP Community Mobilizer	Member Secretary
In case the LGCDP Community Mobilizer is not present, a staff member of the VDC or municipality designated by the Coordinator shall function as the Member Secretary

9. As per this Procedure {this document}, while implementing relief immediately in the severely affected ward, the concerned Ward Citizen Forum will be mobilized.

10. The terms of reference of this Committee shall remain in effect until the end of the month of Jestha 2072. The funds have to be disbursed by 25 Jestha 2072. Funds not disbursed are to be returned by the concerned VDC to the DDC. By the end of month of Jestha 2072, the Committee, in the case of VDC through the DDC and in case of municipality, directly to MFALD, must submit a report on the details of expenditure after due public examination. In case of municipality, the report must also be submitted to the DDC.

11. The Regional Coordination Office related to LGCDP shall facilitate {the implementation} of this Procedure {this document}.

Nepal Earthquake : UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION: Decisions taken by the Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION. NOT AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

Please post any comments on the translation in the comments box below. 

Original document: http://opmcm.gov.np/uploads/news/file/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B8%20%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF_20150430013722.pdf



Government of Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Press Release

Decisions taken by the Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee meeting, on 2072-01-17 [30 April 2015] in presence of the Prime Minister, to increase effectiveness of the management of the crisis brought on by the destructive earthquake. The decisions, below, are {presented} for the information of all:

1. Secretaries of Home, Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Finance and Urban Development to collectively prepare a list of supplies required for victims of the earthquake by 2072-01-17 [30 April 2015], and make it public after getting it approved by the Coordinator of Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee. There after inform the foreign missions that only those items listed there will be accepted and issue a public notice asking for help.

2. As tarps cannot be provided at the present time and if there is scope for earthquake victims to use  locally available material to make temporary shelters, the local body or Urban Development Division to arrange for purchase of plastic or other material through the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee for setting up sheds.

3. To set standards for relief material, preventing duplication, and arrange for distribution of relief material collected by non-governmental and private sectors at locations determined by the Chief District Officer (CDO)  in the presence of state authority.

4. Deploy, under the leadership of the Army, Police and Armed Police Force (APF) in all affected districts, district headquarters, municipalities and village development committees and accord top priority to the removal of debris, recovery of dead bodies and dismantling of houses about to collapse.

5. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to immediately repair damaged roads and bridges to resume transport in severely affected districts.

6. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, in cooperation of the local bodies to remove ruins after preparing archives and maps of the culturally important areas; in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, protect the archeological material; and prepare plans for reconstruction.

7. Coordinately by the Minister of Commerce a task force to, from today itself, develop and implement unified management and unified and effective distribution system for the material purchased or received from various donors.

8. Coordinately by the Minister of Health, a task force to, make effective management and proper distribution of medicines or other health supplies purchased or received from various donors. In this process, the Health Ministry to present a proposal related to free treatment, already conducted and to be conducted, to the Council of Minsiters.

9. Direct the Ambassadors in India, Pakistan and Thailand, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  to immediately purchase one hundred thousand, fifty thousand and fifty thousand tarpaulins (tarps) respectively and send to Nepal at the earliest.

10. Assign responsibility of deployment and coordination of helicopters for relief purposes to joint group of Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Minister of Irrigation.

11. Establish teams under the leadership of a joint secretary and including Nepal Army, Police and APF in each electoral constituency, and immediately coordinate for the removal of ruins, management of corpses, distribution of relief and stopping epidemic. Identify locations for setting up camps that should have drinking water, electricity and temporary toilets. Joint secretary to be placed in district headquarters and a special-class officer to coordiante efforts in the whole district.

12. Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee to manage one truck relief material to be sent along with the joint secretary being sent to each electoral constituency; and immediately provide one set CDMA phone to each joint secretary being sent to each district and electoral constituency.

13. With regard to the materials received from aid agencies for relief of the earthquake victims, to further clarify the implementation of the provisions of the meeting of the cabinet of the government on 2072-01-12 [25 April 2015], line 10:

(a) Tribuvan Airport Customs Office, through the Tribhuvan Airport, to keep detailed account of all taxes, charges, and fees of relief material received from international donor agency and non-governmental organization and equipment of rescue and relief teams and food stuff in the name of the respective organization/institution; and inspect and release {the items | added to define subject}.

(b) For the customs offices other than the Tribhuvan Airport Customs Office: Set up a Relief Material Recommendation Committee coordinated by the concerned CDO of the concerned district, {and following members} the Local Development Officer (LDO), chief of security forces, and chief of the concerned  customs office. If the Committee, determines the the rationale and need and recommends, the relief material, keep detailed account of the material, all taxes, charges and fees, inspect and release the items.

(c) Relief materials like medicine, water, food and relief apparatus stored in central or district  warehouse designated by the Nepal government or received by international agencies in Nepal or licensed foreign of Nepali  non-profits to be distributed in coordination with Central Natural Disaster Relief or District Natural Disaster Relief, and should be inspected and released by the aforementioned agency  following the established protocol along with  keeping detailed account of all taxes, charges and fees. But these agencies or personnel declaring items in customs should prove the validity of their agency registration certificate, contact number, contact and address of the authority of the agency, relief distribution location, and their program declaration.

(d) The detailed information {collected in (a) and (b), of the aforementioned material} on the material imported will be deleted if the materials are distributed as per the standards set by the Nepal Government and duly certified by the CDO and presented in the concerned customs office within 30 days. If not presented with the due certification of the CDO, the chief of customs shall [claim] the legally established fees, charges and taxes along with fines and initiate legal actions.