Succour To Squatters

The recent announcement, made by the government to offer financial aid to the squatters displaced from the riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley, indicates that the government is addressing a humanitarian problem. The aid package consists of a single relocation amount along with some temporary financial support, aimed at helping the most vulnerable families deal with the effects of the relocation process. But whether such an initiative proves to be effective or not will fully depend on how well the government distinguishes genuine homeless families. As per a new report in this daily, only households verified as landless will qualify for the benefits. For this, the authorities have begun collecting information from displaced squatters living in holding centres as well as those staying in rented rooms or with relatives. A separate mechanism has also been established to investigate land ownership records before financial support is released. 

Such a cautious approach is pragmatic.

 Public funds should be directed towards those who have no other means of support. People who own property elsewhere, even if acquired individually or through inheritance within families, cannot easily be placed in the same category as people who do not own any land. The verification is necessary to avoid the misuse of government resources and to help only those in dire need. There may be some issues involved in this process. Firstly, there must be a fair system of verification, which is both speedy and non-political in nature. Nepal has had a troubled history when it comes to land problems due to lack of clarity in documentation, conflicting claims and bureaucratic inefficiency. In case the process is drawn out and becomes politically contentious, then the displaced families will continue to be left in limbo for an uncertain time.

Secondly, the government must make things clear to the affected families. Rumours and confusion often thrive when information is scarce. People need to know what documents are required, how verification will be conducted and when decisions are likely to be made. Transparency could aid in establishing trust and minimising any unnecessary disputes. There is yet another matter that needs to be addressed: the unwillingness of certain individuals to open a bank account. Even though there is nothing wrong with the requirement to make use of official channels for transferring public funds, it seems important to establish the reason why some displaced squatters are unwilling to meet the demand. Encouraging financial inclusion is important, too. 

While temporary financial compensation may be helpful to cover the basic needs of the affected families for a certain time, it would be impossible to address the underlying problem. Rehabilitation is required in the form of providing access to employment opportunities and affordable housing solutions in combination with a land policy that would eliminate the problem. Although the government deserves appreciation for its efforts to strike a balance between meeting humanitarian needs and exercising responsibility, there is still plenty of work to be done precisely. It will be necessary to solve problems of homeless people by providing a respectful and dignified life.