Ministry Begins Testing Genuine Squatters via Land Records System

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation has started testing genuine squatters through the land-record information management system.

The system is being used to ascertain whether claimants of squatters have land in any part of the country in government records, informed Ganesh Prasad Bhatta, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry. He stated that the testing is being carried out transparently, effectively, and economically through various policies, regulations, and methods, including electronic means. “Currently, as per the request sent by the Ministry of Urban Development, the work of testing the names of squatters within the Kathmandu Valley is underway. After this, squatters across the country will be identified sequentially,” said spokesperson Bhatta, adding, “Once genuine squatters are identified, it will be easier to manage them.” The ministry has 110 land revenue offices and 21 land reform and land revenue offices under it.

The ministry has informed all 753 local levels by letter about the necessary staff, technical manpower, professional skills, technology, and other resources for providing land-related services from the local level. It is stated that the bodies under the ministry will conduct training, skill development programs, and transfer responsibilities to those local levels based on priority. Spokesperson Bhatta said that the ministry will provide necessary support and coordination if the local levels can manage the staff. He expressed confidence that when local levels take responsibility for land administration, geographical testing will be easier, and faster services can be provided to the public.