Cabinet decision halts fast-track land distribution plan for squatters in Kathmandu valley

KATHMANDU: The government’s initial plan to distribute land ownership certificates (lalpurja) to landless squatters within a few weeks has suddenly been put on hold, raising questions about a major policy shift in its approach to landless settlement management.

Earlier, on Monday (Jestha 4), Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Federal Affairs, Pratibha Rawal, publicly announced that squatters would receive land ownership certificates within a few weeks. She had stated that legal and structural reforms introduced through an ordinance would pave the way for swift implementation.

“We have restructured the system through an ordinance. Therefore, we will distribute land ownership certificates to squatters within a few weeks,” the minister had said.

However, despite earlier assurances, the government has now stepped back from immediate implementation of land distribution and shifted its focus toward temporary relief measures and rehabilitation support.

Legal groundwork prepared, but implementation stalled

The government had already amended land-related laws through an ordinance titled Some Nepal Acts Amendment Ordinance, 2083, issued by President Ramchandra Paudel on Baisakh 20. The amendments included revisions to the Land Act, 1964 (2021 BS), aimed at facilitating land distribution to landless Dalits and squatters.

Following this, the Ministry of Land Management approved the Land Management (21st Amendment) Regulation, 2083, which officials claimed would simplify implementation. According to ministry spokesperson Ganesh Prasad Bhatt, the regulatory framework was intended to operationalize the ordinance provisions.

However, the regulation has not yet been fully published in the official gazette, delaying its enforcement.

Cabinet shifts focus to relief instead of land ownership

A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday decided not to proceed with immediate land distribution. Instead, the government opted for a relief-based approach for squatters recently removed from riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley.

Government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel stated that displaced families would not be immediately provided land but would instead receive financial assistance and support for temporary relocation.

Under the decision, each displaced household will receive a one-time resettlement support of NPR 25,000. In addition, families of up to five members will receive NPR 15,000 per month, while larger families will receive an additional NPR 2,000 per extra member.

The government also decided to manage elderly, disabled, and vulnerable individuals through designated holding centers, while ensuring education and healthcare services for children in coordination with local authorities.

Why the sudden policy reversal?

According to sources at the Ministry of Land Management, the implementation framework required for land distribution is still not fully ready. The process involves multiple complex steps including verification of beneficiaries, formation of committees at federal and district levels, land mapping, and resolution of ownership disputes.

The amended law requires the formation of committees or task forces to manage land allocation for landless Dalits and squatters, as well as the management of unorganized settlements. These bodies must also resolve issues related to land ownership records and survey documentation from previous commissions.

Officials say that these institutional mechanisms are not yet fully operational, making immediate land distribution impractical.

Legal amendments expand institutional responsibilities

The revised Land Act includes provisions requiring the government to establish central and district-level committees or task forces to oversee land allocation and settlement management. These bodies will also have authority to resolve disputes related to previous land distribution decisions made by earlier commissions.

Additionally, the law mandates relocation of people living in high-risk areas such as riverbanks, lakesides, forests, national parks, and road right-of-way zones. These groups must be provided alternative settlement arrangements.

Shift from ownership to temporary support

While earlier announcements suggested a rapid transition toward granting land ownership, the current decision reflects a shift toward temporary relief and phased rehabilitation.

Officials argue that without a fully functional administrative and legal structure, direct land distribution could create legal disputes and implementation challenges.

Structural and technical barriers

Government sources acknowledge that land distribution cannot proceed without completing preparatory work such as committee formation, land verification, mapping, and coordination between multiple agencies.

The ministry also faces challenges related to updating land records, resolving conflicting claims, and ensuring compliance with newly introduced legal provisions.

Conclusion: Policy recalibration amid implementation challenges

The government’s decision to step back from immediate land distribution highlights the gap between policy announcements and on-ground implementation capacity. While legal reforms have been introduced, the institutional framework required to execute them is still under development.

As a result, the focus has now shifted toward temporary financial relief and resettlement support, while long-term land ownership solutions remain pending until the administrative system is fully operational.