Government abolishes land problem resolution commission through ordinance, officials dismissed nationwide

Kathmandu: The government has abolished the Land Problem Resolution Commission through an ordinance. The ordinance, introduced to amend certain Nepal Acts, has removed the legal basis of the commission by eliminating Sections 52(a), Sub-section (3), and 52(b), Sub-section (6) of the Land Act, 2021.

The commission had been formed with the objective of providing land to landless Dalits and squatters, as well as managing unorganized settlements. Under the new provision, the government will instead form task forces or committees as required. Additionally, provisions have been made to formulate guidelines or procedures for carrying out the work.

With this decision, the commission led by Hari Prasad Rijal at the central level, along with its structures in all 77 districts, has been automatically dissolved.

Earlier, the KP Sharma Oli-led government had formed the commission in 2081 Asoj, while the Sushila Karki-led government had decided to abolish it in 2082 Asoj.

Commission officials had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the decision and had resumed work after the court issued an interim order not to implement the government’s decision.

However, the government later filed a petition seeking a review, following which the court ordered a review of the case. The commission has now been abolished through an ordinance before a final decision was made on the matter.