DHANGADHI: The squatters in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City will get land ownership certificates.

Dhangadhi Sub-metropolis today signed an agreement with a commission related to solving land issues. As per the agreement, the sub-metropolis would establish the identification of squatters and verify the data related to them for which the facilitation committee of the local level has already begun its work.

Mayor Nrip Bahadur Wada said the sub-metropolis would grant land ownership to the squatters after verifying their identity.

He said, "We have made the commitment to providing land ownership certificates to the squatters in the election manifesto." We are soon going to fulfil the promise we have made, he said and added that a separate unit will be established at the sub-metropolis to execute the plan.

"The sub-metropolis has not been able to bring those staying in Ailani land, an unregistered land, under taxation system yet," mayor Wada said. He expressed his view that after getting the land ownership, the squatters could do banking transactions.

Likewise, deputy-mayor of the sub-metropolis, Sushila Bhatta said the commission would determine who would get the ownership of which land.

Dhangadhi's chief administrative officer, Jagannath Pant said the squatters will get the ownership of lands that do not occupy forest area, rivers, rivulets, road, religious and cultural areas.