KATHMANDU, Nov 25: The government has begun the process of collecting details of landless Dalits with the aim of managing landless people and unsystematic settlers.
According to Damodar Wagle, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Land, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry is coordinating with local governments across the country to prepare these records.
The data will be collected through a one-door system to prevent duplication, he said. The Ministry has also asked local governments to follow the prescribed standards when recommending landless squatters and unsystematic settlers. He added that managing landless squatters is the responsibility of the State, and landless Dalits have been given priority in this process.
Although landless squatters and unsystematic settlers are generally grouped under the term “squatters,” they are legally different.
“Families who do not own land anywhere in the country, and individuals who cannot acquire land through their income, resources, or efforts along with their dependents are recognized as landless,” he said.
Families, who do own land somewhere else in the country but have been living for decades in another place on land not registered in their name are considered ‘unmanaged settlers.’ Wagle added that the government will assess the land they occupy and issue land-ownership certificates after collecting the required fees.
He further stated that regularizing such long-term settlements will generate significant revenue for the government. However, settlements created by encroaching upon forests or public land will not be legalized during the management process.