KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has stated that the government is taking seriously concerns about fear being spread among landless citizens regarding ongoing management efforts along riverbanks and public land in the Kathmandu Valley.
In a message posted on Facebook, the Prime Minister clarified that no one will be rendered homeless and that the constitutional right to housing will be ensured. He urged the public not to be misled by rumors or panic unnecessarily.
“The steps taken by the government are not aimed at displacing citizens, but at ensuring the right to housing and finding a sustainable solution,” he wrote, appealing to people to avoid confusion and misinformation.
Shah reiterated that while the government is moving forward with the legal management of unauthorized land encroachments, it remains fully committed to providing safe and dignified housing for genuinely landless citizens.
He also explained that certain provisions of the Land Act, which had posed obstacles to long-term solutions, have been repealed through an ordinance considering the current context.
Following the removal of these legal barriers, the government has initiated a process to digitally register landless citizens, verify their details, and prepare systematic records based on clear criteria. According to the Prime Minister, this process will help accurately identify the real condition of landless individuals and move toward a transparent and sustainable solution.
He added that government decisions regarding landless citizens will be made based on recommendations from the relevant commission and verified data. Citizens living in high-risk and unsafe areas will be relocated to safer and more organized settlements.
“The Government of Nepal wants to make it clear that all steps taken are not intended to remove citizens, but to ensure their right to housing and provide a lasting solution,” Shah stated, again urging the public not to spread unverified information.
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