Protecting Government Land: How the Balen Government Plans to Achieve What Previous Governments Couldn’t

Following the repeal of the 2079 policy on the registration, use, and leasing of government land, experts indicate that a new path has opened to bring large amounts of government land, currently occupied by various institutions and bodies with political influence, back under government protection. The Land Management and Records Department has provided a six-month deadline for those occupying government land under usufruct rights to pay outstanding dues and convert these holdings into leases.

The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation had revoked the 2079 policy on government land registration, use, and leasing two weeks ago. According to the spokesperson of the ministry, the ninth amendment of the 2036 Land Revenue Regulation in 2083 encompassed these provisions, which led to the termination of that policy. According to the latest annual report of the Office of the Auditor General, more than 270 institutions have been allocated approximately 8,000 ropanis of land.

Regarding recent efforts, Ganesh Prasad Bhatt, spokesperson of the Land Management Ministry, stated, “Land parcels given under usufruct rights that were supposed to be converted into leases must be transitioned accordingly; otherwise, these lands will be retained as government property. We have amended the regulations, issued new notifications, and provided everyone with another opportunity.” He added, “When these lands are leased, non-governmental organizations are required to pay rent.” The Auditor General’s report highlights issues where, until fiscal year 2081/82, 276 institutions were allocated land, and three institutions were leased land for 40-year terms.