Nepalese ministers are to contribute a month’s salary to the rebuilding of a national monument that collapsed during the April 25, 2015, earthquake, crushing dead over 180 people, the cabinet announced yesterday.
The meeting decided that the 40 ministers in the cabinet would contribute a month’s salary each to rebuild Dharahara. The decision was made after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli announced he would contribute a month’s salary to rebuild the monument earlier in the day.
The government began a campaign yesterday to call for public support to rebuild the nine-storey monument that had stood in the heart of Kathmandu.
Built in 1832, the pillar-like structure with 213 spiral steps was seen as an iconic building representing the capital city.
The meeting also decided that the foundation for the reconstruction of Dharahara would be laid on April 25, the anniversary of the disaster.
The ministers make around 45,000 Nepalese rupees ($416) a month. The prime minister makes around 133,000 rupees a month.
“We have to construct our heritage sites on our own. I urge all the Nepali citizens to help in the noble cause,” Oli said, adding Dharahara will be reconstructed only with the money of Nepalese citizens.
Nearly 9,000 people were killed in twin earthquakes in Nepal in 2015 and property worth millions, including historic monuments, was
destroyed.