Land use management is in priority, says PM Deuba

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the government has kept the management of land use in priority. He stressed making records and registration of land fair, automated and transparent. PM Deuba said it during a programme organised by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation on the occasion of the 100 years of systematic document and registration of land in the country. The complaints on land administration should be addressed on time, he directed the subordinates. “Good governance should be promoted in land administration service by ensuring quality in survey and credibility in data management,” PM Deuba reminded, adding that records of land and security of historic archives should be prioritised. PM Deuba expressed happiness over the system the ministry developed for the online transactions of land, and online access to personal data relating to lands. He also suggested the government promote these practices. The written records or the registration of the land and houses began in Nepal on April 13, 1922 (Baisakh 1, 1979BS). Land is the source of livelihood for almost all households in the rural area and about two-thirds of households are dependent on land. PM Deuba said the government is providing lands to the poor Dalits in a bid to assure social justice and equality guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. Similarly, the Constitution has ensured the rights of landless squatters, freed-Haliyas and Kamaiyas. He made aware that the arable lands were left unused on the one hand and agricultural production was dwindling on the other, contributing to widening trade loss, and food insecurity. “Haphazard use of land has worsened climate change impacts. Unchecked plotting of agricultural land has caused unmanaged urbanisation and settlements are facing risks. Time has come to check excessive use of natural resources,” he emphasized. He expressed concern over encroachment of public, and Guthi lands. So, those involved in land management should be aware of this. PM Deuba shared that the National Land Commission formed by the government is working to solve the problems being faced by the landless squatters, Dalit and unmanaged settlements. On the occasion, former Prime Minister and leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) Jhala Nath Khanal also said the Land Commission was identifying and providing lands to the free-Haliya, free-Kamaiyas, and Kamlaris. Minister for Land Management Sashi Shrestha said the Ministry has been working on the land reform with policy change and adoption of technology. By RSS READ ALSO:

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