Society | Why do these Gorkha natives have no land certificates? Blame the ‘impending Third World War’
“Third World War is happening soon and all men aged 18-60 will be forcibly drafted.”
At the time of the 1981-82 census, rumors like these spread through the Syala village and villagers thus lied about their names with the enumerators. The names they gave belonged to local forests, rivers and everything they could see around, anything but their own names.
Then, in 1984, when officials from the Department of Survey came to the village, another rumor spread that the government would seize the land of people holding more land than necessary.
Thus the villagers got only fractions of their land surveyed. “The villagers missed out on the survey and didn’t get papers for their land, the result of which we are facing now,” says Pembareta Lama, ward chair of Chumanubri Rural Municipality-2.
The women in the area got their citizenship certificates easily but the men, who falsified their names, faced great difficulties in getting theirs. “Large swathes of land were not surveyed. So now we have to live in settlements without land ownership certificates. No matter how much we try, we haven been unable to get the deeds for our property,” Lama adds.
Residents of 115 households of Syala village, Chumanubri-2, live in settlements without ownership certificates. Hundreds of foreign tourists used to come to this popular tourist destination where big hotels, schools and monasteries have been built. But the local people don’t have land ownership certificates.
Around 131 households in the upper settlement of Samagaun in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-1 also don’t have deeds to prove they own the land. Since the area is a gateway to Manaslu and Larke Pass, most houses here run hotels to cater to the regular flow of both domestic and international tourists. Consequently, millions have been spent on building hotels, lodges and other infrastructures in the area.
Bir Bahadur Lama, ward chair of Chumbanuri-1, informs that none of the owners of houses built over 40 years ago in the rural municipality have such certificates. Residents of another settlement Namrung also don’t have certificates. “Thirty-eight households here do not have lal purja,” informs Lakpadundup Lama, a local.
The government has spent millions of rupees to bring drinking water to each household in these settlements. The government has also invested heavily in schools and health posts. But it has not given land ownership certificates to any of the residents yet.
Four years ago, the government, under its plans to solve the problems of the squatters and landless people, made the locals sign forms for land ownership certificates. “We have also recently been made to fill another form,” says Lama. “Hopefully, we will now soon get our certificates.”
Society | Nepal’s civil society appeals to China for vaccines and oxygen plants
Eighty-three members of the civil society in Nepal have made an appeal to China, asking the northern neighbor for more vaccines, oxygen supplies as well as other Covid-19 related material and medicines. This is perhaps the first instance of the Nepali civil society making such an appeal with China, even as there have been many instances of similar appeals to various western countries.
Below is the full text of the appeal.
Citizen Appeal to The People’s Republic of China (Date: May 12, 2021)
Covid-19 cases in Nepal have increased by 1200 percent in the last few weeks. The positivity rate of tests conducted stands consistently over fifty percent. The country’s health infrastructure has been pushed to the brink with health professionals and frontline workers stretched thin across the country. We are witnessing the fastest spread of COVID-19 globally and the coming months are certain to be an uphill battle. In this context, it is becoming increasingly clear that Nepal will require the help of our neighbors to mitigate the unfolding humanitarian disaster.
China is not only a neighbor but a good friend to Nepal, a relationship attested particularly in times of crisis. The unwavering support China provided when Nepal was at its most vulnerable, in the aftermath of the earthquakes in 2015 and the blockade that followed, remains fresh in the hearts and minds of all Nepalis. Our gratitude for this support knows no bounds.
While diplomatic relations between Nepal and People’s Republic of China date back to 1955, human relationships have lasted much longer and continue to be strong. It is during these unprecedented times, on behalf of the citizens of Nepal, we would like to appeal—once again—to the government and people of the People’s Republic of China to extend your whole-hearted assistance to urgently respond to Nepal’s grave health and humanitarian situation:
- It is well established that vaccination is the only solution to this pandemic. With only 1 percent of the population fully vaccinated, Nepal is in a precarious position. As we write this, the Government of Nepal has scheduled the second dose inoculation for those who received the first dose of the VeroCell vaccine—numbering some 800,000 in total—that were donated by China. While this has offered a glimpse of hope for some, it is simply not enough. We would like to appeal to the Chinese government to support Nepal with additional vaccines so as to curb unnecessary loss of human life as a result of lack of access to vaccines.
- An acute shortage of oxygen has impacted the ability of our health institutions to offer their services. The GoN says we immediately need some 50,000 cylinders of oxygen to ride out this wave. China's offer of 20,000 cylinders and other medical essentials has already exhibited your kind willingness to support and we request the extension of this support with swift transport and further oxygen plant, oxygen concentrators and any other assistance to aid the oxygen supply in the country.
- Basic necessities to combat the virus are growing scarce as the number of infected continue to grow. In this context, we would like to appeal for your assistance with PPE and testing kits, masks and other medical equipment that can help our health care workers safely provide the basic necessary services to the affected.
- As the first country to successfully bring this deadly virus under control, your experience and resources have been crucial. As such, we would appreciate any emergency medical team support that you can extend to Nepal to assist our Nepali frontline workers on the ground in this fight against the pandemic.
We are left with no option but to lay our hopes on the kind support of our neighbors and friends at this crucial junction. We would thus humbly request her excellency Ambassador Hou Yanqi to convey our appeal and expedite any and all support to Nepal from the People’s Republic of China.
On behalf of the general public
1. Prof. Dr. Hemraj Pant, Educationist
2. Jagannath Lamichhane, Activist
3. Prem Sapkota, Activist
4. Manomohan Swar, Journalist, Kailali
5. Senior Advocate Ramesh Deb Bhatt, Kanchanpur
6. Basanti Chaudhary, Rights Activist, Kailali
7. Advocate Ajay Shankar Jha "Rupesh", Executive Director, PDS-Nepal
8. Pradip Pariyar, Executive Director, Samata Foundation.
9. Khagendra Lamichhane, Writer / Actor
10. Bhakta Biswakarma, Acting President, Dalit NGO Federation (DNF)
11. Suman Adhikari, Executive Director, National Federation of Deaf,Nepal
12. Deep Jyoti Shrestha, Youth Activist
13. Rem Bk. Executive Director, Jagaran Media Center
14. Yamlal Lohoni, President, Rupendehi Trade Association
15. Janaki Ghimire Aryal, Lumbini State President, Single Women's Group for Human Rights
16. Jog Bahadur Khatri, Chairman High Court Bar, Butwal
17. Sikendra Paswan, Rights Activist, Bara
18. Fulmohammad Miya, Activists, Parsa
19. Rajesh Karn, Journalist, Janakpurdham
20. Sharda Chand, Social Activist, Kanchanpur
21. Ramesh Rai, Social Activist, Ilam
22. Chakraraj Dahal, Associate Professor, Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan
23. Govindaraj Gautam, Vice President, National Consumer Forum, Baglung
24. Tuk Bahadur Thapa, Advocate, Kapilbastu District Bar Unit, Taulihawa
25. Bishnu Baral, Coordinator, Civil Society Network for Peace, Gandaki Province.
26. Girdhari Subedi, Sayapatri Samaj, Pokhara
27. Than Bahadur Chhetri, Associate Professor, Tribhuvan University
28. Nir Shrestha, Disability Rights Activist
29. Lokendra Sitaula, Associate Professor, Tehrathum Multiple Campus, Tehrathum
30. Dr. Arjun Aayadi, Associate Professor, Midwestern University, Surkhet
31. Amrit Kumar Bhandari, Syangja
32. Shubh Kayastha, Civic Activist, Bhaktapur
33. Rukmani Maharjan, Advocate, Kathmandu
34. Dr. Buddha Bahadur Thapa, Chairman, Nepal Professors Association Central Committee
35. Bhavani Prasad Pandey, Central Committee Members FNJ
36.Gunja Rai, Women's Rights Activist, Janakpur
37. Kailash Dash, State President, Nepal National Dalit Journalists Association, Janakpur
38. Jayakant Goit, Former Teacher, Saptari
39. Bhola Paswan, Rights Activist, Saptari
40. Swagat Raj Pandey, Civic Activist, Kathmandu
41. Samson Karki, Filmmaker
42. Pravin KC, student
43. Deepak Acharya, Businessman
44. Som Niraula, Human Rights Activist, Kathmandu
45. Shivnath Yadav, Youth Activist, Birganj
46. Dawa Lhamu Sherpa, Young Mental Health Activist
47. Suraj Ray, Student / Activist
48. Richa Palikhe, Activist / Businessman
49. Annie, Activist
50. Saugat Wagle, Disability Rights Activist
51. Umid Bagchand, Journalist, Kailali
52. Ananda Mishra, Environment Activist
53. Dr. Prakash Bhattarai, Executive Director, Center for Social Change (CSC)
54. Shehnaz Banu, Civic Activist, Kathmandu
55. Advocate Indu Tuladhar, Executive Chair, Himal Innovative Development and Research Pvt. Ltd.
56. Sushma Barali, Journalist
57. Sangam Sherpa, Businessman
58. Govind Pariyar, Journalist
59. Basanta Chippa, Activist
60. Bhuvan KC, Businessman
61. Advocate Krishna Prasad Timilsina, Pokhara
62. Neetu Pokharel, Women Rights Activist
63. Kiran Kausal, journalist, palpa
64. Romas Khatiwada, Activist
65. Nabin Silwal, Activist
66. Samar Chhetri, lecturer, Dept. Of Population Studies.
67. Pramila Tajhya, Women Activist, Pokhara.
68. Prakash Shrestha, Activist
69. Basanta Joshi, Activist
70. Asmita Dangi, Activist
71. Nisu KC, Activist
72. Nirajan Paudel, Activist
73. Tusar Neupane, Activist
74. Bijaya Rai Shrestha, Executive Director, AMKAS Nepal
75. Advocate Anita Thapaliya, Executive Chairperson, LAAC Nepal
76. Keshab Badi (Nepali), Chairman, National Badi Network, Nepalgunj Banke
77. Jitram Lama, President, NGO Federation Nepal
78. Arjun Bhattarai, Coordinator, NSDF
79. Purushottam Bista, NEDI
80. Bhuwan KC, Activist
81. Itisha Giri, Writer / Podcaster, Kathmandu
82. Avasna Pandey, Journalist
83. Amuda Mishra, Human Rights Activist
Unity is Immunity | Collective effort on corona
Government instability is just about the worst thing that can happen to a country struggling to stay afloat amid a raging pandemic. The Oli government has been widely criticized for not taking the deadly virus seriously, the criticism starting with the opposition faction within the Nepal Communist Party the prime minister led. But corona has only been an excuse, an excuse Oli has used to hang on to power (for one, by putting off vital party meets) while the opposition forces try to bring him down over his supposed failure to control the same contagion.
It is clear that the only way the country will successfully emerge from this pandemic is through a broad political consensus and via a government formed on that basis. Such a government will solve two problems at once. One, the political actors will have to stop the blame game and take collective responsibility. Two, election under such a government will add to the legitimacy of the polls. Such a consensus will not be easy to come by; that should be no excuse not to make the effort though.
The signs are not good. Political parties are in a vicious struggle for power. The Madhesi outfit of JSPN is again on the verge of a split over whether to help KP Oli retain power. In other words, the party will likely split not over some ideological differences as much over personal ambitions of individual leaders, adding to the disillusionment of common Madhesis.
Even as political parties scramble for power, the Covid-19 situation is steadily worsening. Hospitals are out of beds and oxygen cylinders. Vital medicines are in short supply. When a Covid patient or just about any patient needs an ambulance, he or she will be lucky to get it on time. This despite the fact that potentially thousands of volunteers, all ordinary Nepalis, have been working 24/7 to fill the vacuum left by government inaction. They are helping arrange ambulances and blood plasma. They are also matching patients to hospital beds (when available). But even here government regulations have hindered their work.
It will be impossible to deal with this national menace on a piecemeal basis. Each of us needs to contribute. The government needs to be more responsible and responsive to public sentiment and the political parties come together in public interest. The volunteers need to better coordinate their efforts. Private sector organizations need to pitch in with both money and manpower. The rest of us can help by staying put in our own homes. Meanwhile, the task of importing life-saving vaccines must be expedited. At the end of the day, that is our only ticket out of the pandemic.
Again, our political leaders must show the way. Just as they joined hands to help the country transition from violence to peace at the end of the Maoist insurgency, they must now work together to take the country out of its corona mess. Otherwise there is a risk of people getting fed up with the democratic setup. If a democracy cannot come to the help of its people when they need it the most, what good is it, people will start questioning? Let better sense prevail all around.
Society | More than 600,000 people forced to seek jobs abroad each year
More than three-quarters of the 500,000 people entering the labor market are forced to go for foreign employment. The number of migrant workers in Nepal is increasing day by day along with the increase in the number of people going for foreign employment because of lack of employment in the country.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment, more than 400,000 workers used to go for foreign employment before Covid-19. Following the Covid pandemic, the number has decreased to 100,000. But due to the lack of employment in the country, the number of people wanting to go abroad to work is compelling. On the other hand, despite the decrease in the number of migrant workers due to the covid situation, Nepal’s industry and business sector complain of not getting enough workers.
Industrialists claim that the problem arises when there are no trained and skilled workers. Foreign nationals are working in Nepal’s service sectors, mega-projects with foreign investment projects, construction sector, information technology, and also as pilots and engineers among other professions. Despite the dominance of Indian migrant workers in most parts of Nepal, the government has not been able to keep accurate statistics on foreign nationals employed here.
The Department of Labor and Occupational Affairs says that 1,437 foreign nationals from 59 countries have received labor permits till the first week of April. According to the department, more than 2,000 foreign nationals have been working with labor permits in a year. The Labor Act 2074 and the Labor Rules 2075 have set strict criteria for the acceptance of foreign workers. Any company employing foreigners can only hire up to 5 percent of its total workers.
According to Maninath Gop, director of the department, the number of new and renewed foreign workers has decreased in recent times. According to the department, 1,028 people from China, 62 from the United Kingdom, 46 from Japan, 45 from India, 38 from the United States, 29 from Korea, 24 from Spain, 16 from the Philippines, 14 from France, 13 from Australia and 11 from Germany have received work permits.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shekhar Golchha says that about 800,000 Indian citizens are working in Nepal. “Currently, there are 780,000 Indian workers working in Nepal. Nepali employers are looking to hire local people but not getting enough workers. It is important to find out the reason why this is happening,” says Golchha. FNCCI states that despite discussions on increasing investment and job creation in the country, it has not happened. Chairman Golchha says that although labor conditions are improving, much remains to be done to make labor relations sustainable and reliable.
The share of migrant workers in the gross domestic product is more than 25 percent. With more than Rs 8 trillion in remittances, the number of Nepalis going abroad has decreased after Covid-19 and remittances have declined. A total of 461,455 people have returned home after losing their jobs due to covid. Millions of young people who want to go abroad are left unemployed.
Economist Gyanendra Adhikari says that the government prioritize creation of employment in the country. He says that foreign nationals could be displaced if the workers could be made efficient by giving them work on the spot. Although the government has announced a partnership with the private sector in the current fiscal year to employ Nepali workers, it has not been implemented yet.
