Community Self-Reliance Centre (CSRC) organized its 12th Annual Social audit in Lainchaur, Kathmandu on 16th September 2019. The annual financial transaction and progress of CSRC was showcased in the social audit. The programme was inaugurated by Hon. Minister of Land Management, Co-operative and Poverty Alleviation Ms. Padma Kumari Aryal in the presence of representatives of government agencies, partners, stakeholders, community front line-leaders, land-right activists, and organizational staff.
Community Self-Reliance Centre presented the expense of Rs. 147,977,430 (i.e. in words One billion forty seven million nine hundred seventy seven thousand and four hundred thirty rupees) for the fiscal year of 2075/76 B.S in Land Rights and Reconstruction Campaign. The programmatic progress report was presented by Advocacy, Research and Policy Analysts of CSRC, Mr. Jagat Basnet. While, the financial report was presented by Chartered Accountant (CA) Mr. Chetra Gopal Pradhan of “Pradhan and Shakya Associates”. CSRC conducts internal and external audits on an annual basis.
As a result of this years campaign 481 Tenants acquired tenancy rights, 1024 Village block families acquired land ownership certificates, 969 displaced families bought safe land for shelter, and 166 landless families acquired land for reconstruction. Further, 3,655 families of landless and informal settlers have received a cash grant from the National Reconstruction Authority to reconstruct their houses in place of origin. 1,578 couples have acquired joint land ownership certificate ensuring women’s access/right over land.
Likewise, twenty five drinking water schemes have been constructed in support of CSRC benefitting 836 households. Seven irrigation canals have been reconstructed irrigating two thousand seven hundred and twenty five hectares of land of 876 HH’s. 237 vulnerable families of single women, elderly citizens, and physically disabled people have received construction material support of Rs 50,000 for reconstructing their houses. Financial support has been provided to five cooperatives empowering 104 HH’s. Similarly, a three-room building has been handed over to Helambu Rural Municipality ward no 1, Sindhupalchowk.
Furthermore, as a part of organizational strengthening, the Fifth National Conference of National Land Rights Forum has been successfully completed. The conference elected its new executive committee, and ratified its strategy prioritizing the land rights movement.
In addition to that, as a result of continuous policy advocacy of CSRC, government has formulated a number of policy and acts related to land and agriculture. These policies have ensured rights/access of landless people over land. Land Use policy has been formulated. The government has ratified National Land policy for the first time. Booklets including Food Sovereignty Act, Act to Shelter and Seventh Amendment to Land Act have been published and distributed to community and local level government agencies. On the basis of model Land Act, Belaka Municipality of Udaypur has prepared its Land Act. While suggestions on the Eighth Amendment of Land Act has been submitted to ministry of land management.
Mr. Jagat Deuja-Executive Director of CSRC has been appointed to the “Commission to investigate abuse, and encroachment of Public, Government and Guthi Land” formed by government.
In the programme, Hon. Minister Padma kumari Aryal expressed her gratitude towards CSRC for publicizing their financial expenses. She shared “CSRC has supported the ministry in terms of expertise on issues of land rights. The newly formulated land policies and Act have been prepared in regular contact with CSRC. The government has recently ratified the Land Act (Eighth Amendment). This Act tries to resolve the issues of landless, squatters and informal settlers. Through this platform, I request all the stakeholders and agencies to positively support this act. The opposition is trying to block this act, because of this all the land right activist’s needs to be aware, and work against it.”
Participating in the social audit of CSRC, Hon. Vice-Chairperson of National Assembly Mrs Sashi Kala Dahal, Hon. Member of National Planning commission Dr. Dil Bahadur Gurung, Audit Controller of Nepal Government Mr. Gopinath Mainali, Officer of Social Welfare Council Mr. Shyam Tamang, Chairperson of NGO Federation Mr. Jit Ram Lama, and Chairperson of National Land Rights Forum Ms Saraswati Subba, all shared the progress made by CSRC in the field of land rights is unprecedented, and the social audit programme itself is the best example of institutional transparency and accountability.
Similarly, front-line leaders of Dang,Srijana Chaudhary and Rajwati Mandal of Dhanusha shared their experience on acquiring land rights. Likewise, pivotal suggestions were provided from those in attendance to improve the priorities and upcoming strategy of CSRC.
Community Self-Reliance Centre believe in organization transparency and accountability. CSRC have organized a Social Audit every year for the past 12 years, the first being held in 2008. For the past 26 years, CSRC have been working effortlessly to ensure rights of landless, small farmers and tenants over land. To date, as a result of the land rights campaign 58,897 families’ right over land has been ensured. The social audit programme was officially closed by vote of thanks from Chairperson of CSRC, Mr. Gopal Thapa Magar.
For further Information,
Please contact,
Community Self-Reliance Centre,
Dhapasi, Kathmandu| Phone no -01-4360486/9851015145
