The government has prepared a draft bill that would allow it to relocate settlements located along riverbanks and other high-risk areas.
The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration prepared the draft to facilitate the management of squatters after settlements along the Bagmati River were removed.
However, following the damage caused by the Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa and Nuwakot on August 26, the government has decided to expedite the bill and move it forward through Parliament.
Speaking to Setopati, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration Pratibha Rawal said that work was underway to table the bill in Parliament within a week.
“We are working with the aim of taking this bill to Parliament within a week,” Rawal said. “Although the bill was originally drafted in response to the need to relocate settlements along the Bagmati River, recent developments have made it necessary to move it forward immediately.”
The bill contains provisions allowing settlements located along riverbanks, lakes and ponds, national parks, wildlife reserves, forest areas, roadsides, and other areas deemed risky under relevant standards to be relocated.
It also provides for the relocation and resettlement of landless Dalits and landless squatters currently living in high-risk areas.
The proposed bill also includes a provision that would allow local governments to provide land revenue and land-mapping services.
A few days ago, the ministry had invited the public to submit their opinions and suggestions on the bill.
Once approved by the Cabinet, the bill will be registered in Parliament.
It will become law after being passed by both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly and authenticated by the president.
