CPN UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel Warns of Poverty Crisis Due to Eviction Policy

Kathmandu. CPN UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has stated that if a policy to remove all citizens without land ownership certificates is implemented, about 5 million people are at risk of falling into the cycle of poverty, directly or indirectly.

Has the Balen government considered these facts? he wrote on social media – 'Land-related problems are becoming serious across the country, including in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. According to the applications received by the Land Commission, a total of 1,209,585 people, including 98,502 landless squatters, 180,293 squatters, and 930,790 unorganized residents, have applied nationwide. Besides this, it is estimated that a few thousand genuine landless people may still be left out. It is estimated that there are about 100,000 squatters and unorganized residents in Kathmandu alone.

He further stated – 'Parliament has already made legal provisions to solve these problems in the past. However, the decision to remove structures built by more than 900,000 unorganized residents will certainly cause damage worth billions of rupees. This is not just a matter of demolishing structures—it is a complex socio-economic question connected to the lives, employment, and existence of citizens who have migrated from the hills to the city.'

He mentioned that although there is a cooperation agreement between Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Land Commission, the problem has become more complicated due to the lack of complete data so far. He has mentioned that it is essential to deeply study the existing laws, data, and the reality of people's lives before making policy decisions on this sensitive issue.