Opening of ophthalmic studies centre commemorates BP

Kathmandu, Sept.9 (RSS):Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated a community service and research building of the newly constructed B. P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies at Teaching Hospital Maharajgunj on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of the late Koirala today.

The four-storey building constructed for treating cataract and other eye ailments with a grant of Rs 60 million of the Health Ministry has an eye treatment centre, a laboratory, an operation theatre and a library.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Deuba expressed confidence that the centre will help raise people’s awareness for the treatment of eye diseases in the nooks and corners of the country and enhance services.

He honoured doctors and social workers Madan Prasad Upadhyay, Navinchandra Rai, Miss Linda J. Jackson, Bhagawati Thapa and others for their contribution to eye treatment and released the annual report of the centre.

Minister for Health Sharat Singh Bhandari spoke of the need to generate health manpower as per the needs of the country.

Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyay said that community organisations have the added responsibility of taking health and education services to the targeted sections of the community.

Various other speakers including Dr Shashank Koirala, TU Vice Chancellor Navin Prakashjung Shah, WHO resident representative and Dr H. G. Shrestha also expressed their views on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari declared open the one-day free health camp organised by Nepal Tarun Dal central committee at Bhadragol Jail on the occasion of the 88th B.P. Jayanti and eve of the 2nd national convention of the Nepal Tarun Dal today.

Stating that it is the fundamental right of everyone to remain healthy, Minister Bhandari said that His Majesty’s Government would give special priority to such programmes and extend necessary assistance.

From the chair president of the Nepal Tarun Dal Balkrishna Khand urged all the inmates to serve the nation by utilising their skill and capabilities.

On the occasion one minutes silence was observed in memory of the known and unknown martyrs.

Doctors of Bir Hospital had provided their services to the inmates of Bhadragol Jail.

Meanwhile, at a programme organised on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of popular leader B.P. Koirala at the Nepali Congress central office here today, office chief secretary Basanta Kumar Gautam, other secretaries and office-bearers, and distinguished personalities paid tributes to the late leader by offering garlands at his portrait.

In Tanahun (Damauli), Nepali Congress leader and former deputy prime minister Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the Maoists violence that has terrorized the people and is ruining the nation will not last long.

Paudel, who was speaking at a talk programme on the occasion of the 88th BP Jayanti organised by the NC Tanahun today, spoke of the need to form a multi-party united front of those who have faith in democracy to fight against the growing threats of the Maoists in the country.

The arrogance of the Maoists that they can do anything whatever they like will some day be shattered, he warned.

NC central member Govind Raj Joshi expressed confidence that the talks between the Maoists and the government will be successful, adding that the Maoists movement is aimed at setting up a Republican state.

A host of others including former minister of state Amarraj Kaini and mayor of Vyas Municipality Dhruva Wagle also spoke at the function.

Likewise, in Lamjung, on the occasion of the 88th B.P. Jayanti, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. initiated an afforestation programme organised by the NC Lamjung unit at Gaonsahar VDC today.

Speaking at a programme organised following the afforestation, Minister K.C. said imbibing the Nepali Congress principle of nationality, democracy and socialism would be a true tribute to the late leader.

Minister for Labour Palten Gurung said ten years of democracy have achieved what was not achieved in 32 years of the Panchayat era.

NC district president Shanker Kanta Joshi presided.

In Nepalgunj, Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala has said that the good intention shown by the government in the government-Maoist talks should not be taken as weakness on the part of the government.

Giving away prizes and certificates to the winners of an essay competition organised on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of popular leader B.P. Koirala here today Koirala said even though the Nepali Congress wants the talks to be peaceful and successful, the Maoists should understand that we cannot clap with one hand.

It is day dreaming to think that the politics of fear, threats and guns will bring change, Mr Koirala said adding that the rights and well-being of the people can be safe only in a democratic system which has been proved the best in the world.

Stating that activities like brandishing arms, attacking industrial establishments and using force against educational institutions indicate that the Maoists do not want peace, Mr Koirala said even the central level all party meeting has concluded that such Maoist activity is against the consensus that has been reached.

MP Kailash Nath Gupta, Banke DDC chairman Om Prakash Jung Rana and other speakers also expressed their views at the programme chaired by NC town committee chairman Surendra Nath Sapkota.

Also today, NC general secretary Koirala laid the foundation stone for a petrol pump to be constructed by Bheri Zonal Transport Entrepreneurs Association.

Also in Nepalgunj, on the occasion of the 88th B. P. Jayanti, NC general secretary Sushil Koirala, NC Banke district president Krishna Man Shrestha and other distinguished persons paid tributes to the late B. P. Koirala by garlanding his statue at B. P. Chowk today.

The function was organised by NC Banke district committee.

In Bhadrapur, member of the Nepali Congress central committee and MP Krishna Sitaula has stressed the need to develop awareness and educate women for the development of the society.

Speaking at a function organised by NC Jhapa constituency No 2 and Jhapa district Nepal Women’s Association to mark the 88th B. P. Jayanti, Sitaula said that the Nepali Congress government and the people are ready to face the problems encountered by the country.

Chief district officer Shyam Prasad Mainali said that the principles of the late B.P. Koirala should be followed in order to maintain law and order in the society.

At the function chaired by president of the NC Jhapa district constituency No 1 committee Madan Gurung, former MP Dili Prasad Sitaula, president of the NC Jhapa district constituencies Nos. 2 and 3 Kashilal Chaudhary and Ram Kattel, president of the district Nepal Women’s Association Sushila Dhakal, president of the district Nepal Tarun Dal Dhanaraj Gurung, NC general convention member Ambika Rijal, president of the district Nepal Trade Union Congress Dipak Tamang and others threw light on the personality and contributions made by the late B. P. Koirala.

On the occasion MP Sitaula awarded Swachhanda Songmen for securing highest marks in the S.L.C. examination from Jhapa district, Rekha Kumari Das for securing highest marks from among the ethnic community of Jhapa district and Urmila Kisku, B.B.S third year student of Mechi Campus for securing the highest marks.

Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, the Sushma Koirala Memorial Trust organised a talk program on "BP Koirala and Modern Nepal" on the occasion of the birth anniversary of BP Koirala, the first popularly elected prime minister of the country today.

Keynote speaker Dr Jayaraj Acharya, on the occasion, said if BP is remembered only once in a year like a ritual, it is better not to remember him and spoke of the need to remember every moment given the challenges the country and democracy are facing at the moment.

Wondering whether democracy would be in such a dismal state if BP were alive, Dr Acharya observed that the land reforms programme which was in fact to be effected way back in 2048 is just now being implemented and no initiatives have been taken at all to work out new education policies till now.

Democracy had faced challenges all of a sudden in 2017 BS, but now it is facing challenges due to political anomalies and loss of moral values and norms, he said adding, it is necessary for us all to uphold moral values.

Noting that great leaders are not confined to politics only and Churchil, Mao Tsetung, Jawaharlal Nehru, etc can be taken as a case in point, Dr Acharya observed that eight year’s incarceration of the late leader has immensely contributed to the field of literature.

He has already translated BP’s famous novel "Modiaain", but it is yet to be published, he added.

Likewise, speaking at a interaction programme organised in Birgunjn yesterday by the Nepali Congress Parsa-1 constituency committee on the occasion of the 88 th birth anniversary of late B. P. Koirala, central member of the Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi has said that the radical land reform programme adopted by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is a concept of late B. P. Koirala.

Nidhi said a challenge has come on the shoulders of the Nepali Congress to build a new Nepal, adding that although the government is effortful in resolving the Maoist problem through peaceful talks, the activities of the Maoists during the past few days shows that they are not ready to resolve the problem.

At the function presided over by Nepali Congress constituency No. 1 committee president Ram Narayan Kurmi, various other speakers including NC Parsa president Rajendra Bahadur Amatya, ex-MP Ramesh Rijal, Ram Chandra Kushwaha and DDC chairman Janardan Sigh Chhetri also expressed their views.

‘Congress should adhere to B.P.’s path’
There’s shortage of leaders: Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Sept. 9 (RSS): Former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai says that the Nepali Congress should lead the country towards the path of development by adhering to the ideology of democratic socialism propounded by the late leader B. P. Koirala.

Bhattarai made this remark while inaugurating a colloquium organised by B. P. Chintan Pratisthan to mark the 88th birth anniversary of the late B. P. Koirala here today.

The Nepali Congress party workers should go to the doorsteps of the people with innovative ideas and new vigour by understanding the ideals and concepts of late B. P. Koirala, a leader of multi-dimentional personality.

There is shortage of leaders who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of democratic values and also those capable of leading the future generation, he said, adding that the present leadership should trail ablaze the organising capacity of the late Koirala.

Ex-minister Ram Hari Joshi described B. P. as a leader who never bowed down in the issue of nationalism and said there is a shortage of leaders having such courage and energy at the present moment.

Even though the ideology of Nepali Congress is attractive, it has not been put into practice, he lamented.

Ex-minister Jagannath Acharya said that if Nepali Congress was able to pursue the principles of democratic-socialism propounded by late Koirala, its power would not have declined.

The late B. P. Koirala upheld the view that NC should move ahead with the radical land reforms and education programmes simultaneously in consonance with socialism, he said, adding that the today’s leaders had failed to adhere to the commitments made by them.

Another ex-minister Dhundi Raj Shastri said as there was no alternative of democracy to lead the country, a concerted effort must be made to protect and promote human rights and democracy.

Tej Prasad Sitaula and ex-president of Nepal University Teachers’ Association Suprabha Ghimire also spoke about the personality of the late leader B.P. Koirala at the function presided over by president of the Pratisthan Haribol Bhattarai.

There’s need for alliance: Koirala

Syangja, Sept. 9 (RSS): Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala unveiled a life size statue of the late popular leader BP Koirala installed at Ward No. 3 Dhawakhola of Waling Municipality at a cost of some Rs 500,000 by the BP Koirala Thought Academy today.

Koirala also inaugurated another life size statue of the late popular leader at Ward No. 1 Abhiyanpath of Putalibazaar Municipality. The statue was constructed also by the same academy at a cost of some Rs 500,000.

Both these statues were unveiled on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of the late Koirala.

Speaking at a function in Waling today, Koirala said that though BP is not among us today physically, his ideals and thoughts continue to inspire us. He also spoke of the need to move ahead along the path blazed by the leader by maintaining patience and perseverance.

Stating that the country is now passing through a critical phase and the Maoists are engaged in conspiracy against the nation and the institution of monarchy, the NC chief noted that in such a situation all political parties accepting constitution should forge an alliance and move ahead unitedly.

He announced the "comprehensive national unity" from Syangja district where attempts were made on the life of his brother BP Koirala.

He feels that the Maoists are backed from somewhere and their activities are aimed at demolishing the present political, economic and social structures, he said announcing the campaign of freeing the people from hunger, diseases and poverty from Syangja and of preserving democracy, nationalism and the institution of monarchy.

Koirala also spoke of the need to resolve the problem of Maoists insurgency through talks.

NC central member Arjun Narsingh KC accused the Maoists of trying to kidnap democracy in the name of janabad or people’s democracy.

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Gopal Man Shrestha made it clear that talks can be held on all issues except the irreversible points stated in the constitution.

Various other speakers including Shukraraj Sharma, Shankar Prasad Pandey, Dipak Gurung and Surya Prasad Regmi also spoke at the function chaired by NC Syangja district president Khagendraraj Regmi.

The NC president also honoured sculptors Bishnu Prasad Baral and Bir Bahadur Thapa who carved out the statues of the late Koirala on the occasion.

Koirala also called on all the political parties to unite and end the violence and anarchism prevailing in the country.

"I have started a campaign for a broad national unity and I will travel to all parts of the country and urge the people to counter the violence unleashed by the Maoists", he said

He also stressed the need for all patriotic and democratic forces to unite in order to safeguard the nation, nationalism, institution of crown and democracy.

Speaking at another function organised by NC Syangja district committee, NC President Koirala said since the country is being bogged down by a grave crisis, all party leaders and workers should end animosity and differences that has surfaced in the past.

Any formidable challenge before the country can be tackled if the ideology and thoughts of the late B.P. Koirala are pursued in letter and spirit, he added

No one can defeat NC as long as its cadres are not bereft of determination, high morale, restraint and courage, he said, adding all the party workers should remain alert of the forces that are launching a campaign to wipe out democracy and constitutional monarchy.

The violent activities of the Maoists is a ploy to weaken the NC party and end democracy, he said and called on all party workers to unite and thwart such moves.

NC Syangja district president Khagendra Regmi was on the chair.

In Kathmandu, on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of the late BP Koirala, former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated the BP Memorial Evening-2058 by playing a harmonium.

On the occasion, Koirala felicitated folk artists Premraja Mahat, Rajendra Lamsal and Indira Gurung senior folk artists Premraj Mahat and also honoured anchor of "Lokbhaka" Ramji Bhattarai of Sagarmatha FM Station.

The NC chief also released a souvenir published by the Human Cancer Association (Mumbai) associated with the BP Koirala Memorial Trust.

On the occasion, Koirala said art, language, culture and costumes are the life of a nation and spoke of the need for the artists to play a crucial role in preserving such things since attempts are being made to destroy them.

The former prime minister also gave assurances that he will extend utmost cooperation to the Jaya Nepal Cultural Foundation.

Chairman of the foundation Amar Lama from the chair also presented a madal as gift to Koirala.

Different songs were also presented on the occasion.

Please, let me get down to real work: PM

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 9: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today appealed to all the organisations not to invite him to inaugurate formal programmes and let him concentrate on the issues of national concern.

"I have been to four programmes today and this is the fifth," Deuba told the national convention of the transport entrepreneurs. "This is embarrassing. Now I appeal to all the organisations to let me concentrate on my work," he said with a tired look on his face.

The appeal came right on the day a vernacular daily printed a news-item saying that the Prime Minister was wasting his time in trifling matters and not utilising it to resolve the serious issues facing the nation.

‘Change vital for tourism dev’

Pokhara, Sept 9 (RSS): Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. has said that an overall change in the attitude of the civil society, the Maoists and opposition was necessary for development of tourism in the country.

Speaking at an interaction programme of tourism entrepreneurs, the people’s representatives, members of the Nepal Tourism Board and other intellectuals organised by Pokhara tourism office here today, Minister K.C. said that one had to give up the tendency of throwing solid waste in the urban areas and not agreeing to reach a consensus on the management of solid waste.

K.C. Said that the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority has allocated a budget of Rs. 50 million for developing necessary infrastructures for the proposed international airport in Pokhara.

Speaking from the chair Kaski DDC chairman Punya Prasad Poudel said that the DDC was carrying out significants works for developing Kaski into a tourism district.

Mayor of Pokhara sub-metropolis Krishna Thapa said that it was not good to move ahead with a negative attitude always.

President of the regional hotel association Sunder Kumar Shrestha said that Pokhara had the capacity of providing tourism facilities to one million tourists a year.

Representative of Nepal Association of Travel Agents Khagaraj Acharya said that arrangements should be made to check the operation of hotels not paying tax.

President of the Pokhara Hotel Entrepreneurs Committee Vidya Bimal Baral, president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal Hari Prasad Gurung, TAAN president Biru Bomjon and chief of Pokhara tourism office Padma K.C. said that everyone should give attention to solving the problems encountered in development of tourism.

On the occasion it was informed that an consensus had been reached for developing a landfill site at Bachhibuduwa of Pokhara.

NNTEF convention
Deuba asks transporters to shun Maoists’ pressure

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 9: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today asked the transport entrepreneurs not to come under pressure of the Maoists and provide their vehicles to the Communists for their use. He said the state would provide security to the entrepreneurs.

"I appeal to you not to be afraid of their threats and give your vehicles for their use," Deuba told the inaugural session of the two-day eighth national convention of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs’ Federation (NNTEF) here this evening. "The government will guarantee your security."

Premier Deuba said people no longer believed that the Maoists had a good intention. "They came for the talks in response to the government’s call but they have not stopped their forceful activities as agreed and have been terrorising people."

The government and the Maoists held the first round of talks last week in which both sides had agreed not to use force to pave way for a peaceful resolution of the six-year long problem. However, the Maoists have not stopped their forceful activities despite repeated appeals from the government.

Deuba said that it was undemocratic to force people to do something by issuing threats and appealed to the Maoists to stop the forceful activities, pressures and threats. "I appeal the Maoists to desist from forceful activities like donation collection, threats, intimidation, extortion, and the demand for vehicles and mobile phones," Deuba said. "I still believe that the differences can be solved through talks."

He said transport entrepreneurs also should be guided by the principle of service and not look for profit alone.

In his welcome address, NNTEF President Yogendra Nath Karmacharya demanded with the government for the establishment of National Transport Development Board for the proper development and management of transport sector.

He spoke on the need to construct a parking lot outside the Ring Road. "If the government lacks resources, it can involve the private sector for the construction limiting itself to technical assistance."

Karmacharya also stressed on the need to begin regular transport service between Nepal and India for the development of Nepalese transport sector. "But the new cross-border routes should be opened keeping in view the religious and commercial sites."

NNTEF advisor and former Transport Minister Ganesh Bahadur Khatri said the transport entrepreneurs faced problems due to pressures from the Maoists. "Many entrepreneurs are absent in today’s convention due the threats of the Maoists."

He demanded that the government create an environment where the transport sector can thrive.

Upadhyaya stresses awareness-oriented classes

Kathmandu, Sept. 9 (RSS): On the occasion of International Literacy Day, Minister for Education and Sports Amod Prasad Upadhyaya inaugurated a talk programme on "Literacy: Foundation of peace and non-violence" organised by the Nepal National UNESCO Federation here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Upadhyaya pointed out the need to run awareness-oriented literacy classes in order to promote democracy by facing the challenges and imbibing the discoveries of the new century.

The education system should emphasise the use of natural heritage in the interest of humanity, Upadhyaya said adding that the main theme of both education and non-violence is to live peacefully and let others live peacefully.

Speaking from the chair, federation president Damber Bir Thapa said timely development and reforms should be brought about in education in order to make it useful to society and produce skilled manpower.

Prof. Ram Prasad Khaniya, general secretary of Nepal National Commission for UNESCO Khagendra Basnyat, director of the Informal Education Centre Satya Bahadur Shrestha, ex-ambassador Trailokya Nath Upreti and other speakers pointed out the need to effect special amendments and reforms in education which is essential for peace, improvement of conduct and development of self-confidence.

PEs incurring heavy losses, says Mahat

Kabhrepalanchok, Sept. 9 (RSS): An interaction programme cum symposium organised by the Kabhre district committee of the Nepali Congress (NC) on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of the late B.P. Koirala was inaugurated amid a function in Banepa today by NC central member and Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat.

On the occasion, Minister Dr. Mahat said that as the Maoists had breached provisions of the written agreement reached during the first round of talks and had resorted to kidnapping innocent citizens, collecting donations, announcing people’s governments and generally creating terror, His Majesty’s Government would not remain a mute spectator.

Stating that organisations run with the investment of the government were becoming a burden to the economy of the country, he said that eight to 10 public sector undertakings were making a loss to the tune of one billion rupees annually.

It is the duty of all citizens to pay their tax to the state, the Finance Minister said and added that a bill to seize the assets of those not paying their taxes would be presented in the current session of Parliament.

He said, "It is wrong to say that nothing has happened in the 12 years since the restoration of democracy. Three hundred thousand telephone lines have been provided in far flung villages, schools and health-posts have been set up in each and every village and there has been a remarkable increase in the foreign exchange reserves."

At the function, MP Rajendra Kharel said that as the late B.P. always stood by the people and national pride, all those in favour of democracy should unite to defeat the authoritarian forces seeking to cast a shadow on the principles of B.P. and save the country from danger.

MP Homnath Dahal said that the authoritarian forces found encouragement because the followers of B.P. earned millions while uttering his name and have deposited huge sums of money in foreign banks.

Likewise, MP Radheshyam Adhikari said it was ironical that the well-wishers and cadres of the Nepali Congress were moving ahead to discourage the consumption of liquor, gambling, playing of cards and social aberrations.

President of the NC Kabhre district committee Madhu Acharya presided over the first session of the interaction programme.

MP Radheshyam Adhikari presented a working paper concerning the present situation and developments in the country and economist Dr. Minendra Rijal presented one on democratic socialism and the socio-economic programme on the occasion.

Winding up the programme, NC central member Baldev Sharma Majgaiya shed light on the ideology and vision of the late B.P.

Kamala Thapa and Dwarika Karmacharya chaired the second session.

Parties seek their own amends to Land Reforms Bill

BY RITU RAJ SUBEDI

Kathmandu, Sept. 9: The main opposition party CPN-UML, including National People’s Front Nepal, United People’s Front Nepal and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party have separately submitted eight amendments to the Land Reform (Fifth Amendment) Bill -2058 today at the Parliament Secretariat proposing a wide reduction of the ceiling on the land holding as mentioned in the Bill.

Likewise, some lawmakers from the ruling Nepali Congress, including Chakra Prasad Bastola, Surendra Prasad Chaudhari and Ananda Prasad Dhungana have also joined the fray by submitting the separate amendments on the Bill.

The UML has proposed that any organisation or a family with five members or less than this could hold 3 hectares (4.5 bighas) in the Terai and inner madhes, 1 hectare (20 ropanis) in the Kathmandu Valley, 2 hectare (40 ropanis) in the Hills and 4 hectare (80 ropanis) in the Mountainous Region.

To the sharp contrast to the opposition amendments, the ruling MPs have proposed that the government should increase ceiling on landholdings.

They have also said that the ceiling should not encompass the agriculture industries and farming.

The Bill that has been endorsed by the House of the Representatives and has been sent to the Parliamentary Committee for the discussion has put a ceiling of 6.9 hectares (11 bighas) in Terai, 1.1 hectare (30 ropanis) in Kathamndu Valley and 75 ropanis in the Hill.

For the effective implementation of the land reform, an all party Land Management Monitoring Commission, representing political parties that represent in the Parliament, would be set up under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister at the central level, the UML Amendment says.

The Amendment also says that Commissions will be set up at the local level to monitor and provide land to the landless by identifying them. The UML amendment has also categorically fixed ceiling on the land for different places.

Any organisation or family with five members or less could hold only 0.6 hectare (10 ropanis) within the Kathmandu Metropolis, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolis, Bhaktapur Metropolis, Madhyapur Thimi and Kirtipur Municipalities.

For the other municipalities and town-oriented areas across the country, it has suggested a ceiling of 1 hectare (20 ropanis or 1.5 bigha).

Likewise, it has recommended that a family with six members or more could own an additional of 0.1 hectare (2 ropanis) in the town areas of the Kathamndu Valley, 0.5 hectare (10 ropanis or 15 kathas) in the Terai, Hill and Mountain region including inner Terai.

For other town areas and town-orientated places, a family with six members or more could keep 0.1 hectare (2 ropanis or 3 kathas)

According to the amendment, the ceiling would not affect the property share that has been done within August 16. However, it would include the property shares or cases, which are under consideration in the courts after August 16.

Likewise, the Amendment states that this ceiling would also include the transaction of ownership made after the above-mentioned date.

It might be recalled that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had announced a sweeping land reform programme on August 16 and the government had decided to freeze the land sale until the law for the same purpose is formulated.

The government lifted the ban on the sale, purchase and transfer of ownership or any kind of claim on land within the ceiling from September 1, stated in Bill on Land Reform (Fifth Amendment)-2058, which the government had registered in the Parliament Secretariat the same day.

In his replies to the queries raised by opposition MPs regarding the Bill, Prime Minister Deuba had told the House of Representatives that the proposed land reform aimed to provide five kathas to each of the one million homeless families throughout the country

The main opposition party CPN-UML, which had backed the government in the land reform, started to vehemently criticised the Bill over the ceiling proposed by the government. According to UML, under government’s proposed ceiling there would not be surplus land for distribution to the landless.

They said that ceiling was too high and demanded it must be lowered down as prescribed by the Badal Commission.

Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) protested the land reform programme demanding the ceiling on the property along with the landholdings. The RPP and NSP lawmakers, who disrupted the House proceeding about three weeks, are now boycotting the meeting for the same purpose.

The UML amendment further states that the owners who have arable land in more than one place must sell or transfer it from any place within five years thereby holding land in only one place.

However, this provision will not apply for the land used for homestead.

There would be a proportionate ceiling on the land of the owners who hold land in more than one place.

The proposed ceiling would not affect the farming of tea, coffee, apples, oranges, cardamom and other such crops in private forest run under the existing law of the country.

Likewise, the government could reduce the ceiling through a notice regardless of what is written in the prevalent law.

It has amended the Article 2 (2) of the Bill with the tenants claiming equal share with the landlords on those land which the tenants have been tilling for three years or more.

After the enforcement of the law, the land-ownership certificates would be distributed to the individuals by compulsorily mentioning photos, citizenship numbers, names of the family members and in the same of institutions there would be stamps and registration of the offices.

It has also stated that the landowners should receive landownership certificates from the district where his or her families live. Likewise, the individual has to take land ownership certificates from that district where his or her office is located.

On the land distribution, the UML has proposed that the government should distribute at least 0.2 hectare (four ropanis or six kathas) to the families under priorities.

According to it, the first priority should go to former kamaiyas, then the landless squatters and the families with less than 0.1 hectare and 0.2 hectare land respectively.

The families of ethnic, dalits (scheduled caste and nationalities) would get priority in this regard. They would receive from their respective places.

It has said that the classification of the land would be based on the nature of the soil, fertility, geographical conditions, sensitivity of environment and climate.