Kathmandu— The government of Nepal has initiated the distribution of land ownership certificates to landless squatters, marking a significant step towards addressing long-standing issues related to land rights and housing. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration, Pratibha Rawal, announced that the program began in June and highlighted the importance of three-tier government cooperation in identifying and assisting those without land.

Government's Commitment to Addressing Landlessness

Minister Rawal emphasized during a House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday that the government is committed to resolving problems faced by landless squatters. She noted that Rs 211 billion has been spent in recent commissions aimed at distributing land, but expressed frustration over insufficient support from some local levels. The minister also mentioned that around 1.2 million applications for land ownership certificates have been received.

Collaborative Efforts Required

Lawmakers participating in the discussion stressed the need for a collective effort involving three-tier governments, parliament, and political parties to ensure justice for real landless individuals and squatters. They highlighted that distributing land ownership certificates is a shared responsibility among these entities.

(With inputs from Rising Nepal)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.