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In fiscal year 2021/22, the government mobilized Rs 58.34bn in revenue from real estate transactions. However, the impacts of the second wave of Covid-19 brought the economy to a virtual standstill, hitting real estate transactions hard.

Although most of the sectors of the economy have recovered since then, the struggling real estate sector has yet to regain momentum. The government lifted a ban on land plotting to boost real estate transactions. However, it failed to make much impact as revenue from real estate transactions stood at Rs 46.54bn in 2022/23.

Real estate entrepreneurs say although there have been some improvements in the current fiscal year which began in mid-July, the sector has been unable to gain momentum due to various policy and practical difficulties. A recent study report submitted to the government has also suggested policy reforms to boost real estate transactions. The report has pointed out several factors impeding the real estate sector like lack of clear legal provisions for building integration, an overly complicated planning approval process, dominance of middlemen, unnaturally high prices, ineffective regulation, and difficulties due to land ownership limits.

Slow recovery

The real estate sector has been unable to recover since Covid-19. Annual revenue collection from this sector, which used to reach around Rs 70bn, has now fallen to Rs 46bn. While real estate transactions are increasing, they have not returned to pre-covid levels, according to Bed Prasad Aryal, the spokesperson for the Department of Land Management and Archive.

According to department statistics, the government raised Rs 46.54bn from real estate transactions in 2023/24. During Covid-19, annual revenue from real estate transactions had dropped to as low as Rs 25bn. Aryal said the sector is now gradually recovering from its vulnerable state. He added that land and housing transactions have increased more in the eastern Terai region compared to the Kathmandu Valley.

Low transaction value to avoid taxes

The actual annual real estate transactions amount to approximately Rs 2trn. However, government statistics only show transactions worth Rs 1trn. Bhesh Raj Lohani, chairperson of the Nepal Land and Housing Development Federation, said the sector has been deteriorating due to a lack of transparency in buying and selling. He explained that the difference between market value and government valuation creates this discrepancy.

“Purchases and sales happen at one price, while government valuations are much lower. If the state made the system transparent, the value would be at least Rs 2trn annually. Due to non-transparent transactions, the government is losing revenue from different headings like registration fees, capital gains tax and income tax,” said Lohani.

To support real estate transactions, both the government and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) have relaxed various policies. According to the central bank statistics, approximately Rs 224bn has been invested in real estate loans by the end of mid-November of the current fiscal year, up from Rs 211bn in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Despite a 6.65 percent increase in loan investment, real estate transactions have not grown as expected.

Meanwhile, a task force formed by the government to study the problems and challenges of the real estate sector has submitted its report to the government. The committee submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh on Friday.

The committee has highlighted the need to revise most laws, procedures, and standards, as well as create new laws to address problems and challenges in real estate transactions.

Similarly, it has recommended issuing the 2007 Construction Standards for municipalities and urbanizing VDCs within Kathmandu Valley and the 2015 Basic Standards for Settlement Development, Urban Planning, and Building Construction as umbrella standards, and revising and implementing the 2005 Standards for Joint, Collective and Planned Housing.

Likewise, the task force has suggested that the government implement the 2020 Environmental Protection Regulations as per federal principles, and facilitate finance and tax-related matters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory cautioning Nepali citizens about fraudulent job offers promising attractive salaries in the IT sector in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Criminal networks have been luring individuals through social media advertisements and agents, transporting them to Bangkok or Yangon International Airport, and then coercing them into illegal activities in Myanmar's Kayin Province (Myawaddy) and other regions. 

Victims face exploitation such as passport confiscation, long working hours, non-payment of wages and even physical abuse. Recent incidents have seen a significant rise in rescue requests to Nepal's embassies in Yangon and Bangkok. 

The ministry warns that engaging in or facilitating such illegal activities is punishable under Nepali law and urges citizens to avoid falling for these scams. It has advised against traveling on visit visas for employment and recommended verifying foreign employers through Nepal's embassies.

Nepali citizens can contact the embassies in Yangon or Bangkok for assistance or further information.

Humla has witnessed snowfall. Although the weather was clear till Monday afternoon, snowfall started occurring last night.

Chief District Officer Narayan Pandey informed that the snowfall occurred in Simkot, the district headquarters. Up to two inches of snow has accumulated here, while there was up to one foot of snow in the higher reaches including north Namkha rural municipality.

The cold has increased with snowfall in the district. He said dipping temperature with snowfall has also created complications in the movement.

Snowfall has affected normal life in Limi, Yari, Halji, Til and Hilsa Chala villages of Namkha of the district, it is reported.

The temperature has now reached minus in Simkot. Rainfall is taking place in the southern part of the district.

Chief District Officer Pandey has urged the elderly and children to stay safe during the snowfall and also cautioned the people of the surrounding settlement of possible avalanches.

Nepal’s fight against child, early, and forced marriages has gained urgency in recent years, but the problem remains deeply ingrained in the fabric of society. Despite legal frameworks, such as the Child Marriage Act of 2009, prohibiting marriage for girls before the age of 20, Nepal continues to face alarming statistics. Approximately 30.4 percent of girls aged 15 to 17 are married, and 10.2 percent of girls aged 10 to 14 have already been married. The cultural, economic, and social drivers behind these figures are complex and multifaceted, from deeply rooted traditions and customs to economic hardships that push families to marry off their daughters at an early age.

In particular, the remote region—where cultural practices and dowry systems remain entrenched—sees widespread child marriages. The marriage of young girls for a dowry, often minimal at first, only to see their families demand higher dowries as the girls grow older, commercializes the institution of marriage. This has led to a disturbing rise in the incidence of child marriages in rural and remote areas. Additionally, early marriage, compounded with early childbirth, exposes girls to severe health risks, including maternal mortality and complications, while curbing their educational and economic opportunities.

To address this pervasive issue, Plan International Nepal launched the Girls Get Equal (GGE): Preventing Child, Early and Forced Marriage project in 2020. The initiative targets preventing child, early, and forced marriages in 10 local governments across Bardiya, Kalikot, and Jumla districts, three of the most marginalized and hard-hit regions in Nepal. The project aimed to support families with daughters at high risk of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) by increasing their income, which in turn would allow them to avoid such marriages. By mobilizing communities, the project addressed the root causes of CEFM and promoted social norms that value girls and encourage delayed marriages for both girls and boys. It also advocated for stronger laws and policies related to child protection. The main objectives of the project included keeping girls in school, providing access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, empowering out-of-school youth and their families economically, challenging discriminatory social norms, and promoting sustainable child protection mechanisms.

Through various activities, the project directly reached a significant number of individuals. Over 41,886 adolescents gained SRHR knowledge, and 747 out-of-school children were re-enrolled in school. The project trained 1,223 teachers on equity and inclusive teaching practices, and 1,030 members of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) and School Management Committees (SMC) were trained as well. Additionally, 486 children participated in alternative basic education, while 184 low-income families received financial assistance for economic improvement. Over 1,500 religious leaders joined the campaign against child marriage, and more than 16,000 civil society members were involved in various advocacy efforts. Through awareness campaigns, more than 105,200 people were sensitized about CEFM and child rights.

The project also achieved notable policy successes. It played a pivotal role in advocating for the endorsement of a new child protection policy at the local government level and contributed to the integration of CEFM-related issues into national and local development plans. Additionally, the project supported the revision of school curricula to include more gender-responsive education and SRHR content, aligning with broader efforts to protect children from early marriage and its associated risks. These policy achievements have paved the way for more systemic, long-term changes in addressing child marriage at both the community and national levels.

The project saw substantial progress in preventing child marriage rates, which dropped from 58 percent to 23 percent in the project’s target areas in the five-years of project implementation (2020-2024). This success was especially notable in Jumla, where the rate reduced from 71 percent to 20 percent, and in Kalikot and Bardiya, where reductions of 27 percent and 22 percent, respectively, were observed. Despite these achievements, the project faced challenges such as persistent economic hardships in rural communities, limited job opportunities, and insufficient school infrastructure. Additionally, the project’s limited duration could lead to reduced engagement from stakeholders after its completion, and delays in the implementation of child protection policies at the local level were another challenge. These factors highlight the need for continued efforts and capacity building to sustain the progress made.

Swastika, a Champion of Change (CoC) member from Bardiya spent two years learning about menstrual hygiene, sexual and reproductive health and rights, child marriage and its consequences, and other related topics through the GGE project. Afterward, she began sharing her knowledge with others. “We educate not only teens and youths but also our mothers and grandmothers because education on these topics is essential for everyone,” she said. “We also collaborated with health post officials to make health posts adolescent- and women-friendly.”

She explains, “As members of the CoC, we are actively campaigning against child marriage. My friends and I have launched several campaigns, including one called ‘One Rupee for Girls’ Education’. We set up a snack shop in the local market to collect small contributions of one rupee. The funds are then used in collaboration with a local school in our community. Together with the school management team, we identify the most marginalized girls and provide them with uniforms and stationery to ensure they can continue their education without any obstacles. Additionally, we raise awareness among students about the consequences of child marriage and actively involve them in our campaign.”

In Bardiya, Aakash, the president of the Parivartan Child Club, shares how the club is taking action to raise awareness about child rights and child marriage. “Our Child Club organizes extracurricular activities every Friday, such as attendance answering, speech competitions, and essay writing. In these activities, we specifically address child rights and child marriage issues. We also engage in enrollment campaigns to bring children who are out of school back into the education system.”

In Kalikot, Tek Bahadur Bishwakarma, a school principal, speaks about the importance of creating a child-friendly school environment. “To make our school child-friendly, we have created separate codes of conduct for teachers, students, parents, and the school management committee, based on the child protection policy, and we ensure they are followed. We also organize various community meetings targeting parents to raise awareness about child rights.”

“My parents tried to stop me when I asked their permission to join a training programme to learn how to repair mobile phones,” says 23-year-old Samjhana who comes from a small indigenous community in Bardiya district, western Nepal. “They thought it was a job only for men and that a woman wouldn’t be able to learn the skills and run a mobile repair shop.”

Following the training provided by Plan International, Samjhana set up a mobile repair centre with her friend Kamala who took part in the same training course. They are the only female mobile phone repairs in their community. “We opened a shop in the market area of our village. Plan International supported us with equipment including a computer, furniture and mobile phone accessories.” “It’s important for girls to learn skills to start their own businesses and become financially independent before they get married. These skills will support us in every step and help us to earn respect within our communities,” says Samjhana.

In Jumla, Mamata highlights the significance of awareness about contraceptive methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies. “In the teenage years, physical development happens quickly, and menstruation starts. At this time, there is an attraction to the opposite sex. Therefore, it is essential to understand contraceptive methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies.”

In Kalikot, the work of the local women’s cooperative is contributing to the fight against child marriage. “Our cooperative is a child marriage-free cooperative. We prioritize promoting entrepreneurship for poor adolescent girls by providing loans. We only provide loans if the parents of the girls sign a commitment letter stating they will not engage in child marriage,” shares Apekshya, the treasurer of the Badimalika Women’s Agricultural and Loan Cooperative.

In Kalikot, religious leaders are also playing a role in changing attitudes towards early marriage. “Earlier, I used to perform marriage ceremonies for people even if they were underage. Nepal’s law used to recognize marriages of individuals who were 16 or older. But now, I no longer perform marriages for anyone under 20. I check the citizenship or birth certificate of both the bride and groom. Only if both have reached the age of 20 do I officiate the marriage,” explains Janmadev Neupane, a religious leader from Kalikot.

Laxman Bahadur Shahi, the head of Hima Rural Municipality in Jumla, discusses the role of local governance in challenging traditional practices. “With the support of Plan International Nepal and its partner organizations, Hima Municipality has created a religious network to implement a policy that only allows marriages for individuals over 20 years old. This policy is now being followed by all religious leaders and Dhami-Jhankris (traditional healers) in the municipality.”

Sitali Budha, the Vice-chairperson of Sija Municipality in Jumla, shares the progress made in eliminating child marriage. “With the support of the project, we have adopted a five-year strategy to eliminate child marriage, and two wards in our municipality have already been declared child marriage-free. Our goal is to declare the entire municipality child marriage-free within the set timeframe.”

Ratan Bahadur Shahi, Chairperson of Hima Rural Municipality-1, says that although the GGE project has concluded, efforts to curb child marriage will continue. “We are committed to this,” he stated. He also highlighted contradictions in the laws, which lack clarity. “For instance, there is no provision for issuing a marriage certificate to couples involved in child marriage since it is illegal. However, if they have a child, we are required to issue a birth certificate even if the parents do not have a marriage certificate,” he explained.

Mina Kumari Parajuli, Regional Manager at Plan International Nepal’s West Regional Office, Surkhet, says the organization works in three districts—Bardiya, Kalikot, and Jumla—where the child marriage rate was previously 58 percent, significantly higher than the national average of 43 percent. “Hence, it was very important to work on this project,” she said. The project also provided valuable insights, research, data, and approaches related to child marriage, which will be instrumental for future initiatives, she concluded. advt

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane has been suspended from the post of lawmaker.

Issuing a notice on Monday, the Parliament Secretariat informed that former Home Minister Lamichhane, who was elected from Chitwan constituency-2, has been suspended from his position as a lawmaker.

The District Police Office, Kaski on December 16 had concluded its investigation into the cooperative fraud case involving Lamichhane and submitted its report to the District Attorney’s Office on Monday.

The report recommended prosecuting 51 individuals, including Lamichhane, former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, Ram Prasad Khanal, and Lila Pachhai, who are currently in police custody. Most of the other suspects remain at large.

They were charged with cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. Kaski police had also recommended recovery of around Rs 1.51bn. The investigation revealed that Lamichhane and others were involved in irregularities concerning funds from Suryadarshan Cooperative in Kaski, which were allegedly diverted to Gorkha Media Network and misused.

Evidence gathered during the course of investigation includes checks issued by Lamichhane to repay loans taken from multiple cooperatives. Lamichhane, however, has claimed that the checks in question were left in a drawer during his tenure as the managing director of Gorkha Media Network, and someone else may have filled them out without his consent. 

The investigation, which began with Suryadarshan Cooperative, expanded to four other cooperatives: Kathmandu’s Swarnalakshmi Cooperative, Chitwan’s Sahara Chitwan Cooperative, Birgunj’s Sano Paila Cooperative, and Nepalgunj’s Samanata Cooperative. 

Police investigation had revealed that Lamichhane and his associates took out loans, including Rs 4.6m each from Swarnalakshmi Cooperative, to purchase vehicles in Lamichhane and GB Rai’s names. 

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has directed the airport officials and stakeholders to facilitate everything ensuring that the tourists won't have to face any difficulties.

At a meeting on Monday with the officials of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and other agencies stationed there, Minister Pandey said all should work responsibly to disseminate positive messages since the international airport is the zone where the foreigners make their first entry. "Airport is a sensitive zone. The role of security bodies should be made further effective. Our services should be visitor-friendly. We should create a friendly environment for the repeated visits of the foreign tourists once they visit," Minister Pandey added.

Saying that the TIA despite its capacity to handle 4.6 million passengers in a year has the compulsion to provide service to 9 million passengers, Minister Pandey asked the officials to provide prompt services by being technology-friendly.

Minister Pandey also asked the TIA officials to work by preparing a plan of actions within 15 days after identifying the key challenges at the airport.

Minister Pandey said that the Department of Customs, Department of Immigration, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and airlines companies should work as per the plan of actions and added that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation was always ready for inter-ministerial coordination.

The government has issued a travel advisory to the Nepali citizens preparing to travel to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Issuing a travel advisory today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Nepali citizens not to travel in visit visa for the purpose of foreign employment in these countries and also to take stock of the business firms, companies and employers from Nepal's diplomatic missions there or to check the websites of those firms, companies and employers.

The Ministry's travel advisory has come at a time when the Nepali citizens are trafficked to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, and are forced for illegal jobs after the seizure of their passport from the employees. It is said that Nepalis are forced to work for as long as 13 hours and are tortured and have faced the issues of wage theft too. 

The Ministry also said that its attention was drawn to the increasing number of Nepalis submitting their applications at Nepal's embassies in Yangon and Bangkok for rescue.

Similarly, the Ministry has asked all to remain cautious to the acts of luring of foreign jobs and offering any sorts of other temptations and other illegal actions.

Likewise, the Ministry has cautioned not to fall in temptations of online casino, call center frauds, crypto currency and other job offers in Bangkok from the suspicious IT firms.

Police have arrested two people who behaved in an indecent manner during the Nepal Premier League (NPL) final match on Saturday.

The arrestees have been identified as 21-year-old Ashok Saud of Adarsha Rural Municipality and 19-year-old Ganesh Saud of Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality, Doti district, said Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari at the District Police Range Kathmandu.

A quarrel had broken out between some people after the final game between Janakpur Bolts and Sudurpaschim Royals held at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on December 21. The NPL was organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

Police said the two men have been arrested in course of carrying out investigation into the complaints of various agencies and the victim and the reports in the media that some people used derogatory words, meted out indecent behavior on several people and attempted to disturb the communal harmony in course of the quarrel.  

SP Adhikari said that a search is on for other people involved in the incident.