Summary:
The government of Nepal withdrew a controversial land bill titled “Bill amend Nepal acts related land, 2025” from the House of Representatives agenda on July 9, 2025, after strong opposition from major political parties, including the ruling Nepali Congress. The bill faced criticism for potential misuse and lack of adequate consultation.
Key points:
- The bill was initially set for clause-wise discussion in the House but was removed due to objections from senior Congress leaders who demanded amendments and consensus-building before presentation.
- Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma opposed the bill being tabled directly in the House plenary without proper groundwork.
- Congress leaders had already submitted amendment proposals, but the government proceeded to include the bill in the tentative agenda based on assurances that further consultations would happen.
- After realizing broader discussions were still necessary, the government withdrew the bill.
- Congress lawmakers pointed out ambiguities and potential loopholes in the bill that could be exploited by land mafias and misused for real estate development.
- The bill aimed to simplify land ownership transfers, especially for landless groups, squatters, and unmanaged settlers, but lacked clear legal provisions to prevent abuse.
- Other parties like Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Rastriya Swatantra Party also submitted amendments.
- Around 55 members of Parliament from both ruling and opposition parties have proposed amendments concerning the bill.
- The government had introduced similar provisions earlier via ordinances that failed to gain support in the National Assembly.
In summary, due to widespread concerns and the need for more consensus and clarity, the government pulled back the controversial land bill from the parliamentary agenda.
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