Kathmandu : The government has begun an effort to reclaim 1326 bighas of land that belongs to Nepal Sanskrit University. This land has been taken over by representatives of major political parties. An article in Nagarik Daily titled “Political Parties in Dispute over Nepal Sanskrit University’s 1326 bigha Land” prompted Education, Science, and Technology Minister Sumana Shrestha to take action.
Government spokesperson Rekha Sharma mentioned that Minister Shrestha initiated this action, leading the Council of Ministers to form a five-member committee. This committee, chaired by former judge Shekhar Paudel, will investigate and work towards reclaiming the university’s land.
Professor Dr. Madhav Adhikari, the university’s Registrar, explained that the committee appointed by the government will conduct thorough studies, research, and investigations on the university’s land holdings. They will assess both movable and immovable assets and provide a detailed report with recommendations on how to safeguard and manage the university’s properties.
For over twenty-three years, 1326 bighas of the university’s land have been illegally occupied by individuals associated with political parties like CPN (Maoist Center), Nepali Congress, and CPN-UML, claiming squatters’ rights.
“We appreciate the government for forming a committee to investigate and provide a comprehensive report for the recovery of the university’s land,” Registrar Adhikari told Republica. “However, forming the committee is just the first step; the main issue is to ensure that the university regains rightful ownership and can use the land for educational purposes,” he emphasized.
Adhikari highlighted that the university has been unable to utilize its own land, which ideally should generate revenue for education. He stressed the urgency for the government to expedite the process of returning the land so it can benefit educational and academic activities.
“In Dang, the university owns a total of 1336 bighas of land, but only 10 bighas are currently being used by the university,” Registrar Adhikari revealed. “All remaining land has been encroached upon by various groups claiming squatter rights.”
Back in 2011, 56 families from Dang-Deukhuri donated 1336 bighas of land to Janata College to support Sanskrit literature.
“When the government did not allocate funds at that time, these families donated the land to operate the college. The proceeds from this land were used to pay salaries, allowances for teachers and staff, provide meals, and cover other student expenses,” experts said.
They added that the donors intended to contribute to the revival and advancement of Sanskrit literature. Ministry of Education Spokesperson Keshav Dahal stated that the ministry formed a committee to locate and protect the university’s land and return it to the institution.
“According to the law, it is our initiative to return the land to the university,” Spokesperson Dahal explained. “University land should be used for educational purposes.” The ministry is working towards reclaiming the university’s land.
University officials met with Chancellor and Prime Minister of the university, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to request the return of the land mentioned in the registration certificate. Since 2001, the university has been unable to earn income from the land in Deukhuri, and farmers who cultivated the land have not been registered as tenants.
Government Spokesperson Sharma noted that a committee has been formed to return the university’s land in the Dang district, with agreement across all political parties. “The committee includes Dev Mani Chaudhary, head of the District Education Coordinator Unit in Dang, as Secretary, along with Rohit Kumar Bhattarai, former Director-General of the Land Management Office, Prof Ishwar Pokharel, former Principal of Janata College, and Kapil Dangol,” Sharma stated.
Sharma added that since university land is currently occupied under various claims such as squatters and tenants, the government has initiated efforts to locate and protect the university’s land. She reiterated, “The committee will conduct research and investigation in three months to provide the government with a report on the location of university land, extent of encroachment, tenant rights, and related matters. Returning university land to the university itself remains the government’s primary goal.”
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