Kathmandu, March 27 -- The ruling parties have decided to withdraw the disputed land-related ordinance. The decision was made during a meeting of the ruling coalition held at Baluwatar on Wednesday.

Among the six ordinances promulgated by the current government, the Janata Samajbadi Party, whose support is crucial for passing the ordinances from Parliament, had opposed the land-related ordinance over its controversial provisions. Other five ordinances were presented in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly for approval. JSP is a member of the Congress-UML governing coalition.

The ordinance envisioned providing free ownership to landless Dalits and squatters who have built houses and lived on public land for a long time....