Amidst the spreading fear over the removal of squatter settlements located on riverbanks and government lands in the Kathmandu Valley, Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has stated that the government has no intention of evicting citizens and that no one will have to become homeless.
Issuing a message via Facebook, he stated that fear is being deliberately spread among citizens regarding the management process the government has advanced according to the law in areas where government land has been encroached upon. He urged everyone not to be swayed by such unconfirmed information and misconceptions.
Balen clarified that the recent steps taken by the government are not aimed at putting landless people on the streets, but are rather focused on ensuring their right to housing. He informed that to find a long-term solution to this issue, the government has used an ordinance to repeal some sections of the Lands Act 2021, which had been acting as an obstacle.
With the legal hurdles removed, he stated that the government has already begun the process of digital data collection, details verification, and preparing clear records to identify genuine landless citizens. The government believes this process will identify the true condition of the landless and yield a transparent and sustainable solution to the problem.
The government plans to relocate citizens who are risking their lives by living in unsafe and undesirable locations to safe and well-managed areas. For other landless citizens, Balen mentioned that the government will make the necessary decisions based on the recommendations of the concerned commission and the data currently being collected. He assured that no one will face injustice in the name of settlement management.
Prime Minister Balen made it clear that all the steps they have taken are intended to find a permanent solution to the problem, not to displace citizens. His message notes that the government is fully committed to ensuring safe, respectful, and permanent housing for every landless citizen.
Reiterating that no situation will be allowed to arise where any citizen is left homeless, he requested all concerned individuals not to panic unnecessarily.
