Reconstruction of destroyed homes in Zhouqu county of Gansu province, recently devastated by a mammoth landslide, is top of the government agenda.

Both the central and local governments are promising to complete the task no later than June-end next year, and the central government has also earmarked 500 million yuan for the project.

The swift and effective response to the tragedy is laudable.

It is clear that the government has accumulated enough experience in disaster relief and reconstruction after the Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes.

The detailed three-stage measures, from emergency relief to final settlement of victims in new homes, are definite pointers to the government's calibrated strategy in this regard. The government will also distribute minimum living allowances to all those people who have lost their livelihoods.

Surely, these policies go a long way in giving residents hope to lead a happy life going forward.

How these policies will be implemented will make a big difference to the people's quality of life. A thorough investigation, including a survey of the potential geological hazards, must precede reconstruction drives. This will make sure new homes are being built in safe areas. Tight supervision must be done to ensure homes are being built as per the highest quality standards.

When it comes to subsidizing those affected families whose homes have either collapsed or been seriously damaged, strict supervision is necessary to guarantee that the money does in fact go only to the needy.

In carrying out these policies, transparency and public oversight is a must for effective and justifiable implementation.

Only when the policies are carried out to the letter will the reconstruction effort be successful and ensure the rising of a newer and sturdier Zhouqu county.