Nepal cuts 12 year wait, to declare those missing in flood 'dead' after 45 days

NEW DELHI: Nepal govt has reduced the waiting period for declaring people missing in disasters dead from 12 years to just 45 days, paving the way for families of 5,285 people, including at least 189 Indians who went missing in the Aug 26 floods, to obtain death certificates and pursue compensation, insurance and inheritance claims. President Ram Chandra Poudel issued the ordinance late Friday, a day before the 45-day period since the disaster was due to end. The ordinance, issued on the recommendation of PM Balendra Shah's cabinet, took effect immediately. For families of the 189 missing Indians, the process begins with proof that their relatives were present in the flood-affected areas on Aug 26. Embassy of India in Kathmandu will coordinate with Nepal to verify the details, while local registration offices will process applications using nationality documents, police reports and embassy certification, where required. Once Nepalese authorities issue the death certificates and complete the necessary consular formalities, families can use the documents in India to pursue inheritance, insurance and other legal claims. The ordinance did not establish whether foreign nationals would qualify for compensation under Nepal's disaster relief provisions.