Minister Cites Poor Government Service as Driver for Nepali Emigration, Announces Strict Tax Evasion Measures in Land Transactions

Kathmandu. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Dr. Kumar Inam, stated that the ineffectiveness of government services has led to despair among Nepali citizens, consequently increasing the trend of emigration. Speaking at an event organized by Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Sunday, Minister Inam noted that the public suffers particularly because good governance has not been established in sectors like land management, revenue offices (Malpot), and surveying.

Stressing that delays and irregularities in these offices, which directly concern the general public, are sending negative messages to the state, he emphasized the need for radical reforms in the bureaucracy. Minister Inam informed that the ministry has issued a new and strict circular to prevent large-scale revenue evasion in land transactions. Instructions have been given to revenue offices (Malpot) and other relevant bodies to collect revenue based on the actual deed (likhat) registered at the ward office when buying or selling land.

He expressed confidence that this step will discourage the practice of paying revenue based on the minimum valuation set by the government, which often differs significantly from the actual transaction amount, causing the state to lose billions in revenue. The Minister claimed that this new system, once implemented, will add approximately 50 billion rupees to the state's revenue.

Targeting those who conceal the actual transaction value of land to evade revenue, Minister Inam stated that efforts are underway to correct the weaknesses observed in the current 'system'. Giving an example, he said, 'The government rate for a piece of land might be 1 million rupees, but the actual transaction is happening at 5 million rupees; in such a situation, people are defrauding the state by paying tax only on 1 million rupees.'

It is his view that the state must be made trustworthy through an honest employee administration by correcting this situation. He clarified that citizens cannot feel the presence of good governance until there is an improvement in the behavior and work style of the employees.

Minister Inam stated that while industrialists and big businessmen have other avenues, land administration is the primary point of contact for the general public, making good governance in this sector indispensable. He also directed employees to be accountable to service recipients and not to unnecessarily delay work that can be done.

He opined that the nation's progress and the creation of an environment where citizens want to stay in their own country will only happen if the bureaucracy works with integrity. Expressing that public anger is escalating because employees are causing disappointment at the workplace, he cautioned employees to ensure timely service delivery.