KATHMANDU: The government intends to present the ordinance to Parliament for approval by March 6.
Coalition party leaders announced that discussions will begin today (Saturday) with the leaders of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, which has strongly opposed the land ordinance and the other five ordinances unless they are withdrawn.
Ruling party Chief Whip, Mahesh Bartaula, confirmed that the plan is to present all six ordinances for a decision in Parliament on either March 5 or 6, provided that JSP Nepal agrees by March 3.
Bartaula explained that this decision was made during a meeting at Baluwatar on Friday, which involved leaders from the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, aimed at ensuring the government’s success.
JSP Nepal has rejected the ordinance amending certain land-related Nepal Acts and has demanded its withdrawal.
However, since JSP Nepal is part of the ruling coalition, the meeting agreed that the party’s concerns should be addressed and their demands considered.
The meeting assigned leaders to begin discussions today (Saturday) to secure JSP Nepal’s agreement as soon as possible. Bartaula also mentioned that the Prime Minister and Home Minister will coordinate with the ruling parties starting the day after tomorrow.
Additionally, Bartaula indicated that the government is preparing to submit the ordinance for Parliament’s approval first, followed by the submission of a replacement bill.
According to Bartaula, the ruling parties have agreed to engage in discussions with JSP Nepal regarding the land ordinance and make any necessary amendments.
JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has criticized the government’s land ordinance, claiming it is not in the country’s best interests.
He argues that if the ordinance passes, land mafias, middlemen, and real estate agents will seize and sell valuable state land under the pretext of helping landless people.
Yadav further stated that Nepal’s efforts to secure international funding for forest conservation would be at risk if the ordinance becomes law. He stressed that managing the landless should not involve deforesting land.
Speaking at an event in Kathmandu on Friday, Yadav stated, “This is a scheme where land mafias, middlemen, and real estate agents will take control of valuable state land in the name of landless people, sell it, and settle it. This will harm the country’s economy, destroy the environment, and we must oppose this act. What kind of madness is this?”
He accused the government of exploiting the landless issue through land mafias, which he believes is damaging the country.
Although the government presented six ordinances to Parliament, the land ordinance was not submitted for decision after JSP Nepal raised objections.
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