NPTF approves two projects worth Rs. 3.53 billion

The board meeting of the Nepal Peace Trust Fund (NPTF) under the chairmanship of Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Top Bahadur Rayamajhi approved two new projects worth Rs. 3.53 billion on Wednesday.

As per the decision, Election Commission's "Support to Election Project" will get Rs. 3.42 billion and Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minister's project on "Strengthening the Capacity and Mechanisms of Relevant State Institutions to Implement Human Rights Plans and Policies in Nepal" will have Rs. 117 million.

As a supplement to the "Support to Election Project" the board also delegated authority to the Technical Committee of the NPTF to approve project related to facilitation and expediting of citizenship certificate distribution by the District Administration Offices.

A project proposal is expected to be submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs soon, which shall be reviewed by the sectoral cluster of the NPTF prior to approval by the Technical Committee, according to the press statement of Peace Fund Secretariat.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Rayamajhi informed that the NPTF was completing its sixth year next month and its term has been further extended for three more years, until January 2016.

Highlighting on the crucial role that NPTF had played in the areas of cantonment management and rehabilitation of Maoist Army Combatants and also in the elections to the earlier Constituent Assembly in 2008, Minister Rayamajhi also stated that the upcoming elections in April/May 2013 remains as the government's high priority and NPTF should contribute to these purposes.

Similarly, the government's role in facilitating Human Rights issues are being supported through the second project.

On the occasion, recalling the noteworthy contributions made by the NPTF financed projects in contributing the ongoing peace process, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun also mentioned that NPTF will not have shortage of government funds to finance its prioritised projects in the pipeline.

Expressing satisfaction on the performance of NPTF so far, Donor Group chair and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal stated that the development partners gave their support to both projects which were discussed in detail in technical meetings including government, Civil Society Organisations and donors.

Gass also expressed concern regarding human rights situation and also emphasised that it is significantly important that all outcomes of the project on human rights are consistent with international human rights standard and humanitarian law.

Similarly, emphasising his satisfaction over the performance of NPTF, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal Robert Piper highlighted the complimentarity and synergy between the NPTF and the UNPFN mechanisms. nepalnews.com