Kathmandu, November 23

A team from Nepal Academy today inspected poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s house, which the government is planning to convert into a museum.

Mahakavi Devkota’s family has also agreed to hand over the four-story building located at Maitidevi to the government for the same.

Ganga Prasad Upreti, chancellor of Nepal Academy, said the house was in a sorry state for want of repair. “The house was damaged in the 2015 earthquakes and it needs repair,” he said, adding, “The house is on the verge of collapse, most of the rooms, including Devkota’s bedroom and study have been badly damaged.”

Devkota’s family, however, have demanded compensation.

“I am very happy to hear that my father’s house will be converted into a museum,” said Ambika Rimal, 76, daughter of Devkota.

However, Ambika said the government had to provide adequate compensation to the family as they were in financial crisis.

The house is registered in the name of Meera Devkota, the youngest  daughter of Devkota, who died of cancer.

“We want our father to be remembered by people. The only property of my father is the house and if we give it to the government, we will be left with nothing. So we urge the government to provide compensation for the house,” said Rimal.