‘Govt will not use bulldozer to clear squatter settlements’

Kathmandu, Apr. 25: The government has said it will not use bulldozers forcibly in informal settlements occupied by landless residents.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sasmit Pokharel, who is also the government spokesperson for the federal government, made the remarks on Friday while announcing recent Cabinet decisions in response to questions from journalists in Singha Durbar. 

Minister Pokharel said many residents in such settlements had previously been forced to flee, leaving behind their belongings, during flooding, and that the government was therefore relocating them to safer places.

“There is no plan to deploy bulldozers by force using police in landless settlements,” Minister Pokharel said. “The process is being carried out through requests and by moving people to safe locations.”

He added that previous governments had politicised the issue of landless settlers, but claimed the current administration would instead pursue a long-term solution. 

He said the government was preparing to identify genuine landless families and manage their resettlement appropriately.

Minister Pokharel also said the government had postponed the parliamentary session in order to provide Parliament with sufficient legislative business.

“The parliamentary session was deferred so that Parliament will have adequate business,” he said, adding that the government intended to introduce laws through bills rather than ordinances.

“The government will not bring ordinances,” he said.

President Ramchandra Paudel had earlier summoned both houses of Parliament for April 30 on the government’s recommendation. However, the President’s Office later on Thursday issued a notice saying the session had been postponed for “special reasons” before any sitting took place.

Asset investigation panel 

Separately, the government has made public decisions taken during Cabinet meetings held on April 15, 21 and 23. Among the major decisions announced were the formation of a commission to collect and investigate asset details of key political office holders and senior officials who have held public office from 2005/06 to 2025/26.

The government has also decided to accept a grant of one million Swiss francs from the Switzerland government for investigations into disappeared persons and reconciliation funds.

Likewise, the government gave an approval to present in the House of Representatives a mutual legal assistance agreement in criminal matters signed between Nepal and India.

The Cabinet has decided to allocate the budget required for mandatory payments related to 162 under-construction bridges on national highways and local roads. 

Rs. 1 million assistance to Bipin Joshi's family 

It has approved financial assistance of Rs. 1 million to the family of Bipin Joshi, who was killed in the attack in Gaza. The meeting also endorsed the Health Tourism Strategy 2026–2035 along with its action plan for 2026–2030, and approved a climate change framework agreement between Nepal and South Korea.

HK Consul General recalled 

The Cabinet decided to recall Nepal’s Consul General to Hong Kong, Dr. Bindeshwor Prasad Lekhak, directing him to report to the ministry within 20 days.  It also granted permission to use national forest land for 25 years for the Upper Midim, Bakan Khola and Upper Khudi hydropower projects, and approved the promotion of Nepali Army Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General.

In addition, the government formed a recommendation committee led by Dr. Gunakar Bhatta to nominate chairpersons for the Nepal Securities Board and the Nepal Insurance Authority. The Cabinet also issued a mandatory retirement notice to Secretary Ram Aadhar Sah and suspended the recommendation to summon a special session of the federal Parliament.

Further, the cabinet also decided to appoint Judge Chandra Bahadur Saru of the Patan High Court as Chair of the Military Special Court, while Judge Tanka Prasad Gurung was appointed Chair of the Appellate Committee under the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority Act.

Govt has no intention to intimidate business people 

Further, the government spokesperson Pokharel clarified the government is not proceeding in a manner aimed at detaining or intimidating businesspeople. Minister Pokharel said the government had not engaged in any acts of arbitrarily imprisoning or threatening anyone. “Lawful procedures are being followed. No action has been taken out of any sense of revenge. We have full confidence in state institutions,” clarified Minister Pokharel. He also said there had so far been no discussion regarding the appointment of a new Home Minister.

Instructions against schools charging admission fees 

Minister Pokharel further said that clear instructions had already been issued regarding schools charging admission fees. He said, “We have already given clear directions on the matter of fee determination. Fees may only be charged after a proper decision has been made. Existing laws and regulations clearly specify which fees may or may not be charged. Local bodies must also move forward with monitoring and enforcement measures.”

He added that once an annual admission fee has been collected, schools are not permitted to charge it again, and said the government remained alert to ensure strict compliance.