Kathmandu, May 29 -- The government announced plans to establish land banks in 100 municipalities in the upcoming fiscal year

Presenting the budget for fiscal year 2025-26, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said legal and institutional arrangements would be made to utilise arable land efficiently. "There will be a policy to prevent cultivable land from lying fallow," the budget statement said.

The government also plans to amend land-related laws to permanently address issues faced by the landless, Dalits, squatters, and informal settlers.

Paudel added that land ownership certificates will be issued to 500,000 families after asset verification and registration in the next fiscal year, with adequate resources alloc...