Kathmandu, August 15 :

Minister for Land Reforms and Management, Prabhu Narayan Chaudhary, today told the House of Representatives that the government was working to find out the actual number of landless people.

The data would help in launching appropriate policies and programmes regarding land reforms, he said. A study conducted by the ministry in 2001 showed that there were one million landless people in the country and now the government will verify whether the number still remains same or not, he said. “The government has been doing ground work in this regard,” he said while answering MPs’ queries.

During today’s session, State Minister for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Minister for Education and Sports Prof Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar and the State Minister of Science and Technology Man Bahadur Biswokarma fielded the questions raised by MPs on Appropriation Bills under their respective ministries.

Bishwokarma spoke on behalf of the Local Development Minister.

Dr Manandhar said the minister was seriously considering permanent appointment for teachers who had been teaching on temporary basis for more than five years. Current policies on higher secondary schools also need to be reviewed, he said.

The ministry is also considering the possibility of upgrading Padma Kanya College in Kathmandu and Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar to universities.