Nepal: No landless person will be made homeless: Prime Minister

Kathmandu. On the apprehensions spreading in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu amid the action to remove landless settlements situated on the banks of rivers and on government land, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has clarified that the government has no intention of making any citizen homeless.

In a message issued on the social media platform, he said that fear is being systematically spread among the people regarding the management process going on as per law in the encroached areas of government land. He appealed to the citizens not to fall prey to unconfirmed information and confusion.

Prime Minister Balendra clarified that the recent government steps are not aimed at bringing landless people onto the streets, but at ensuring their right to housing.

He informed that the government has removed some of the provisions of Land-related Act 2021, which are becoming a hindrance in the long-term solution of this problem, through an ordinance.

After the removal of legal hurdles, the government has now started the process of digital data collection, details verification and preparation of records on a clear basis to identify genuine landless citizens. The government believes that this will reveal the real situation of the landless and a transparent and permanent solution to the problem will be possible.

According to the government plan, people living in risky and unsafe places will be shifted to safe and orderly places. In case of other landless citizens, necessary decisions will be taken on the basis of the recommendation of the concerned commission and the compiled data.

The Prime Minister also assured that no injustice will be done to anyone in the name of slum management. He said that all the steps of the government are being taken not to remove people, but to find a permanent solution to the problem.

The message also mentioned that the government is fully committed to ensuring safe, dignified and permanent housing for every landless citizen. He also appealed to everyone not to spread unnecessary panic or allow it to happen.