Pratibha Rawal, appointed minister on Chaitra 13 (March 27), initially held responsibility for two ministries: Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, and Federal Affairs and General Administration. Following the government’s decision to reduce the number of ministries, these two were merged. Currently, they function as a unified Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration. Rawal’s ministry is directly connected to citizens and government employees. Tasked with delivering justice to squatters, landless people, and cooperative victims, Minister Rawal is also engaged in reforming the permanent government staff administration.
Focusing on the work accomplished in her ministry during the government’s 100-day administration, Rawal spoke with journalists Sant Gaha Magar, Krishna Gyawali, and Lilu Dumre, stating, “When I took on the responsibility, I had two ministries. Most of the tasks outlined in the 100-point action plan for these ministries have been completed. Some tasks will require coordination with other ministries as well. We plan to publicly detail what specific work has been done item by item.”
Rawal added, “There are many important tasks. Among them, the one I find most critical is the removal of the trade union provisions within the civil service. This arrangement was causing significant harm to the employee system and damaging the overall administration’s reputation. Therefore, we are working to eliminate that old framework and establish a new, fair mechanism.”
Expressing pride in initiating the process of refunding small savings of cooperative members within 100 days, she said, “I have conducted all my work transparently so that no one can question it. My main priority is not to rush to show results but to produce quality outcomes.”
Regarding landless people, Rawal announced that an historic start has been made to distribute land ownership certificates from yesterday, and the transfer of Land Revenue and Survey offices to the local level has begun. “Our primary goal is to reduce public visits to these offices by advancing digitization,” she explained.
On squatter management, Rawal stated, “We are regularly updating and publishing information on the collection and management of squatter contributions. We will provide frequent updates on how many applications have been received and verified.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to squatters, Rawal said, “The government has pledged to cover monthly expenses for squatters housed in holding centers. Currently, squatters are also being accommodated in an apartment in Nagarjun.”
She further revealed ongoing intensive discussions between the Land Problem Resolution Committee and Kathmandu Metropolitan City aimed at managing landless citizens and squatters, with special priority plans for squatters displaced from areas such as Thapathali. “According to government plans, we first collect contributions and then manage squatter affairs. We started collecting contributions just yesterday,” she noted.
Rawal also stated that despite the Land Commission’s dissolution and replacement by a committee, significant progress is being made, with land ownership certificate distribution having commenced even before 100 days had passed. “Yesterday, we began distributing certificates to landless Dalits in Bardiya,” she said.
Addressing concerns about prime ministerial influence, Rawal confirmed that there is no interference in her ministry’s affairs and that implementation of the Rawal Commission report is proceeding in phases. “Correspondence has been sent to freeze all lands identified by the commission,” she informed.
She added, “Verification has been completed to determine how many squatters in the holding centers are genuine, and work is underway to decide where to allocate land to them and how to manage their situation.”
