Five individuals of Katunje at Chhatredeurali-9 in the district have been held on charges of providing fake information to take government relief meant for earthquake victims. The people were arrested based on complaints filed by locals. Among those arrested on Friday are Dipak Khakurel, Sitaram Tamang, Kaila Tamang, Krishna Tamang, and Sanu Tamang. “They have been arrested as per the complaint that three to five members of their families have acquired government relief meant for earthquake victims by providing fake information,” police inspector at the District Police Office Bashudev Ghimire said. After the inspection team which went to affected areas came up with data indicating 40 to 60 percent more houses than in the national census, relief distribution has been greatly hampered. Cash released for earthquake victims in Lapa VDC became insufficient as 1,368 people were found eligible for relief while the 2011 census records only 853 in the VDC. The number of households eligible for relief in Ri Gaun, which was home to 1,110 households as per the 2011 census, is 1,701 now. Likewise, 662 more households than the 1,655 which pay land taxes have come seeking government relief in Chhatredeurali VDC.

“The number of households in 17 VDCs of the district has increased by 25 per cent after the earthquake and all houses have been reported to be fully damaged,” communication officer at the District Disaster Management Committee Bhola Gautam said. While generally the number of households only increases by 5 per cent over time, an increase of up to 60 per cent has posed serious problems in relief distribution. “As relief amount meant for the entire VDC was used up in one ward alone, additional funds had to be sent,” DDMC Chief Basudev Ghimire said. Against the data of 73,842 households in the district as per the 2011 census, the DDMC data shows that 81,336 houses have been completely destroyed while 3,091 houses have sustained partial damages. “Due to blocked roads, helicopters will be arranged to send relief to the six northern VDCs,” Chief Fund Controller Yagya Prasad Dhakal said.