BHADRAPUR: For 72-year-old Jaharman Limbu, who migrated to Madhesh from the mountainous settlement of Lelep in Taplejung four decades ago, owning a piece of land legally registered in his name remained a lifelong dream.
For years, Jaharman lived with uncertainty as he did not have a land ownership certificate for the plot he had been using. His long wait finally ended when he received the certificate at a programme organized in Arjundhara Municipality on Thursday.
“Despite the delay, we finally received the title deed,” he said emotionally. Jaharman was not alone in sharing the joy. Sapana Siwa Darji and Umadevi Tamang of Arjundhara-11, Laxmidhap, were also among those who received land ownership certificates.
A total of 17 squatters or unorganized settlers from Arjundhara Municipality-11, Laxmidhap, received land ownership certificates from the District Land Problem Resolution Committee, Jhapa, during the programme.
Arjundhara Municipality Deputy Mayor Khadgamaya Parajuli said she personally understands the struggles of landless people as she also comes from an unorganized settlement background.
“This is not just a piece of paper; it marks the end of generations of insecurity,” she said.
Chief guest and House of Representatives member Indira Rana, while handing over the certificates to the 17 beneficiaries, said the government has a policy of not evicting people except those living in vulnerable settlements.
Arjundhara Municipality Mayor Baldev Singh Gomden Tamang said 144 people from Ward No. 11 have already received land ownership certificates.
The municipality has started the process of distributing the certificates to 729 landless squatters, 212 landless Dalits and 6,359 unorganized settlers. Mayor Tamang said technical and administrative staff have been mobilized, including during public holidays, to complete the distribution process as quickly as possible.
Chairperson of the District Land Problem Resolution Committee, Jhapa, and Chief District Officer Shivaram Gelal said the administration is ensuring that land ownership certificates are provided only to genuine beneficiaries.
According to Shiva Prasad Lamsal, Chief of the Survey Office and Member Secretary of the District Land Problem Resolution Committee, the distribution process has already started in all local levels of the district. He said five unorganized settlers from Mechinagar are also scheduled to receive land ownership certificates today.
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