KHOTANG: Halesi Tuwachung Municipality has distributed land ownership certificates to 116 individuals, including landless Dalits, squatters, and unorganized settlers.
Among those who applied for land acquisition, 18 landless Dalits, 4 squatters, and 94 unorganized settlers were officially registered in the land records system and received their certificates on Tuesday.
Mayor Bimala Rai informed that the second phase of the process has begun to provide land certificates to additional landless and unorganized settlers.
“The ward offices identify public and private lands to allocate for landless residents and submit their recommendations to the municipality,” she explained. “Based on those recommendations, we forward the cases to the National Land Commission, Khotang, for final approval and distribution of land certificates.”
“After issuing the certificates, the ward office publishes a seven-day notice to invite any objections. If no objections are raised, the municipality proceeds with the official title distribution,” she said.
The land certificate distribution event was attended by Nirmal Rai, Chairperson of the National Land Commission Khotang; Jagat Bahadur Shrestha, Chief of the District Land Revenue Office; Suman Shrestha, Chief of the Survey Office; and other local representatives.
Municipality spokesperson and Ward Chair of Ward No. 7, Kamal Giri, noted that Dalits, squatters, and unorganized settlers who had been landless for years have gained hope of permanent land ownership through this coordinated effort.
According to Commission Chair Nirmal Rai, the district has 792 eligible beneficiaries, including 152 landless squatter households, 49 landless Dalit households, and 591 unorganized settler households, across its 10 local levels.
The Commission, previously led by Suresh Rai, had begun land certificate distribution in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, the district’s largest local unit with 15 wards.
Land verification to determine ownership status has also been completed in Khotehang, Jantedhunga, and Barahapokhari rural municipalities.
As per national guidelines, landless Dalits and squatters are defined as individuals or families who own no land within Nepal and cannot acquire land through their income or resources. They are entitled to land free of charge.
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