Kathmandu, Aug 17: A year after the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML formed a coalition promising good governance, efficient services, and a constitution amendment, their inability to pass changes to the Land Act 1964 has revealed deep rifts within the alliance. Conflicts between Congress lawmakers and UML’s Land Management Minister Balaram Adhikari have stalled the bill and strengthened opposition protests.
The Oli government first attempted to amend land laws via an ordinance in January. While the Cabinet recommended five ordinances to President Ramchandra Paudel, only four were endorsed initially, as some provisions in the land ordinance drew criticism. The ordinance was later issued after the Prime Minister pledged to address the concerns when presenting a regular bill in Parliament.
The government then introduced the land bill in the federal parliament, but disagreements between coalition partners led to its withdrawal and referral to the lower house committee for further review. Congress lawmakers, including General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma, opposed endorsing the bill without detailed discussion on disputed provisions. Despite multiple committee meetings, no consensus has been reached.
In the latest session, differences persisted over categorising landless Dalits, squatters, and unorganised settlers, and whether land ownership certificates should be issued solely on this basis. Congress proposed granting land to unorganised settlers based on land type, area, valuation, length of settlement, and whether they or their family owned other property, with a restriction to claim land in only one place and pay a specified fee. Minister Adhikari rejected this approach.
UML lawmaker Amrit Lal Rajbansi said members were instructed to study the draft thoroughly before the next meeting, explaining the brief five-minute session. He stressed that the bill should protect genuine victims and prevent misuse. Congress members, including Gagan Thapa, Bishwo Prakash Sharma, and Dilendra Prasad Badu, have suggested that unorganised settlers should not receive land immediately, reflecting ongoing negotiations over the contentious amendments.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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