Land Bill clears Lower House, faces criticism

 Kathmandu, Aug 29 – The House of Representatives has approved the Land Bill, paving the way for major changes in land distribution and management. The bill, presented by Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balram Adhikari, was passed by majority vote after detailed discussion in Parliament.


The bill aims to distribute land to more than 1.1 million landless Dalits, squatters, and unorganized settlers across Nepal. It also allows real estate developers to buy and sell housing more easily. Once fully endorsed, the bill will amend the Land Act (1964), the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973), and the Forest Act (2019). This would make it possible to divide and sell even land not previously classified as residential, while setting aside land specifically for Dalits and squatters.


Minister Adhikari clarified that the bill does not propose giving more land than the legal limit, but focuses on addressing long-standing issues of landlessness and settlement.


The bill will now move to the National Assembly (Upper House). If approved there, it will be sent back to the House of Representatives, then forwarded to the president for certification, after which it will officially become law.


However, the bill has sparked strong criticism. The Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party demanded its withdrawal, claiming it disguises land distribution to disorganized settlers as support for Dalits. Major opposition parties – including CPN-MC, RSP, RPP, and JSP-N – have also raised concerns that the bill could favor business interests, encourage deforestation, disrupt the demographic balance in Madhes Province, and harm environmental safeguards.


JSP-N, led by Upendra Yadav, has been particularly vocal, staging protests and even withdrawing support from the government in July over this issue. With three lawmakers in the 59-member National Assembly, JSP-N’s role will be crucial since the ruling coalition currently lacks a majority in the Upper House.

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