Society Welfare Faces Intense Tensions Over Uncollected 110 Million NPR Rent from Bhirkutimandap Land

March 14, Kathmandu – The Society Welfare Council sealed the shops, private business establishments, and media offices on the Bhirkutimandap land on Monday for years-long default in rent payments.

The council has publicly disclosed the names and outstanding rent amounts of organizations and businesses that had not fulfilled their rental obligations as of the end of this fiscal year.

According to Saroj Kumar Sharma, the Council’s Secretary-General, social organizations, snack shops, shoe stalls, media offices, and student groups have collectively failed to pay NPR 105.4 million in rent. Despite repeated correspondences to remind them, many have consistently resisted paying rent.

The council noted that continuous delays forced them to resort to locking the premises on Monday as a last measure.

A 35-day deadline was initially given on April 3, 2022 (21 Chaitra 2078 BS), followed by correspondence in December 2021 (Magh 2078 BS) and an additional 15-day extension in February 2022 (Fagun 2078 BS). When all these deadlines were ignored, the government authorized the sealing action.

The council has maintained a public list of non-payers since 1997 (2054 BS). Among them, stall number 43, under Hari Amatya’s name, has not paid rent since July 1997 (2054 Shrawan). Similarly, Reports Club, chaired by Rishi Dhamala, owes NPR 7.34 million.

Secretary Sharma further explained that 56 stalls have not paid rent, and 36 of these have been illegally transferred to other individuals, creating additional complications.

There were confrontations between some businessmen and council employees who came with a team to lock premises. Business owners claimed that changes in ownership were not notified, and the council’s refusal to renew contracts had complicated rent recoveries.

The business owners questioned the locking team with complaints such as, ‘Why wasn’t the change in shop ownership updated?’ The council reported that this group alone owes NPR 27.4 million in rent.

The Bhirkutimandap compound spans 214 ropani, accommodating buildings, stalls, and booths. The council charges NPR 86 per square foot for temporary huts and NPR 96 per square foot for permanent buildings.

Top Rent Defaulters

The council identified the Kathmandu Valley Public Library as the largest defaulter, owing NPR 17.67 million for stall number 68. Additionally, stall 34 owned by the library has NPR 11.35 million pending.

User Forum Nepal owes NPR 4.56 million and has held stalls 1 and 2, rented from social organizations since January 1998 (2054 Magh 2 BS) with lease terms expiring in January 2001 (2057 Magh). Despite large enforcement efforts, collection has failed.

The Democratic Martyrs and Wounded Society owes NPR 1.46 million but has not cleared dues after five reminders. This group has sublet a snack stall without the council’s consent.

The National Federation of Disabled People owes NPR 11.63 million, while the Federation of Child Welfare NGOs has NPR 8.9 million pending.

The council disclosed that the student wing of the CPN-UML, Annarashwabiwu, operating out of the welfare council’s building, also has not paid rent for stalls 60 and 61 since 2020 (2077 BS).

Nepal National Human Rights Protection Forum owes NPR 2.19 million, and the Nepal Journalists’ Association Kathmandu chapter has not paid NPR 3.3 million since January 2006 (2062 Magh 19), despite five reminders and public notices.

Synthesis Exhibition and Events owe NPR 1 million; shoe shops owned by Mankala Shrestha, Tikaram Sitoula, and Krishnaprasad Lamichhane owe over NPR 7.46 lakh, 11.8 lakh, and 8.9 lakh respectively; snack shops owned by Yashodakumari Sethi and Hari Amatya owe over NPR 10.5 lakh and 5.15 lakh respectively.

Snack shops operated by Narayankumari Niraula, Budhiram Bhusal, Manju Timilsina, and Chitrabahadur Pandit Kshetri owe amounts ranging from NPR 2.19 lakhs to 9 lakhs. Nepal Photo Journalists Association also owes about NPR 2.07 million. All these establishments were sealed on Monday.

Secretary Sharma suspects political protection as one reason for non-payment, saying, “They couldn’t support the state and probably had political backing. After the lockout, a one-week deadline to clear dues has been set. Failing this, the state will take further action.”

Conflict at Library During Locking

The situation at Kathmandu Valley Public Library differed from others during the sealing operation. Led by Secretary Sharma, the council team, accompanied by security personnel, entered the library.

The large security presence alarmed around two dozen students engaged in quiet study, causing distress and uproar within the facility.

Some readers expressed anger at the government’s tough tactics for rent collection. One student said, “Why come here with such force when we’re studying? We have exams tomorrow. This disrupts our studies rather than solves rent issues. Admin should be approached instead.”

Following the agitation, council employees exited the library. Secretary Sharma engaged in a brief exchange with library manager Leela Bhattarai, urging her to pay rent.

He warned, “If you don’t meet me, where will the minister and prime minister be sent? Don’t do that.” The group left after announcing the library would close by 5 PM to avoid further disturbance.

On January 21, the council had sent a reminder to the library to settle arrears. Manager Bhattarai stated that the library had a 75% discount on rent based on previous agreements and had been paying accordingly, but the recently publicized outstanding amount exceeded this concession unexpectedly.

Images by: Aryan Dhimal