KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that the Supreme Court (SC)'s decision to leave an additional 20 meters along the riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley cannot be implemented.
Prime Minister Oli made this statement on Monday during a meeting with the Valley-Wide Road Expansion Victims Struggle Committee and the River Standards Concern Group.
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He said that only a few people, who are trying to appear important and do not care about the public, are happy with the SC's decision. He mentioned that this ruling by the Supreme Court would wipe out permanent settlements of the people. He further stated that leaving 20 meters on both sides during new expansions would result in a quarter of Kathmandu being lost. He claimed that the Supreme Court's decision was made without adequate study.
He also stated that the government, considering the decision inappropriate, has decided to seek a review (vacate) of the decision. Prime Minister Oli mentioned that the Supreme Court should understand the problems and concerns of the people. He expressed confidence that the decision would be overturned during the review and that the previous standards would be reinstated. He emphasized that the existing issues should be resolved in a positive manner, without imposing hardships on the people.
He said, "A decision of that kind has come from the honorable Supreme Court, and some people might be happy with it. In fact, those who are arrogant and do not care about other people must have been pleased. They might have said they would implement the standards. But this decision affects the permanent residences of the people, including their property and land certificates. If we leave 20 meters more on both sides during new expansions, a quarter of Kathmandu will disappear. This conclusion came without sufficient study. It doesn't seem like the right decision. That’s why we’ve decided to go for a review (vacate) and ask for this decision to be overturned. I believe that the honorable Supreme Court will understand the problems and concerns of the people. I trust that during the review, the decision will be overturned and the previous standards will be reinstated. There are problems, but they should be solved in a positive way, not by oppressing the people."
