MP Kshitij Thebe Demands Review of Land Ceiling Regulations

Kathmandu. CPN (UML) MP Kshitij Thebe has demanded a review of the land ceiling system. He made this demand while speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday. He stated that the current land ceiling system is not suitable for the geographical conditions and local needs of the hilly and mountainous districts. According to him, the current land ceiling is 10 bighas in the Terai and inner Madhesh, 25 ropanis in the Kathmandu Valley, and 75 ropanis in the hilly areas outside the valley. However, this system is not practical in mountainous and hilly districts like Taplejung. He mentioned that Taplejung has traditional meadows and grazing areas spread over hundreds of ropanis, and the land ceiling has caused problems in partition, land plotting, and even land sales. He expressed the view that since land has already been classified, all areas should not be placed under the same standard. Speaking in parliament, MP Thebe said, 'Nepal's current land ceiling system has set 10 bighas in the Terai and inner Madhesh, 25 ropanis in the Kathmandu Valley, and 75 ropanis in the hilly areas outside the valley. However, this system is not proving practical in mountainous and hilly districts like Taplejung. Here, traditional meadows and grazing areas spread over hundreds of ropanis exist. Due to the land ceiling, a big problem has now arisen in partition, land plotting, and even land sales.' Mentioning that the previous government had already classified the land, he added, 'Instead of keeping all areas under the same standard, it is necessary to determine the land ceiling based on the classification, nature, productivity, utility, local geographical conditions, and prevailing practices. Let the land ceiling system for mountainous and hilly districts including Taplejung be reviewed immediately after a realistic study. Let the problem be solved practically and scientifically.' He emphasized the need to determine the land ceiling according to the area based on the nature, productivity, utility, local geographical conditions, and prevailing practices of the land.