A day long interaction program on 'Shelter Policyof Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City and Rights to Shelter' was concluded in Biratnagar on 30th December 2014 highlighting the essentiality of people's participation and contribution for the successful completion of the large scale projects. The interaction program also stressed the need of supporting the existing large projects that has been contributing Biratnagar for its development. 

 

Addressing the gathereing, Member of Constituent 

Assembly Rishi Raj Pokhrel stressed the need of proposing 10 years plan in the forth coming municipal council meeting and also stated that the concept of Greater Biratnagar need to be promoted. Talking about the development projects in Biratnagar, he said, due to our inefficiency in working modality some project earlier could not be materialized. Now the existing projects need to be implemented maintaining transparency, he added.  

 

Executive Officer of Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City Gopal Regmi, speaking on the occasion, said, while talking about the rights we should not neglet the responsibility that we borne. He stressed the need of citizen's role for better Biratnagar. On his remarks, he added, the existing code of conduct related to housing in Biratnagar was formulated in 2057 B.S (2000 AD) by the elected local government in Biratnagar and yet it is being followed.

 

Executive Director of LUMANTI Support Group for Shelter Lajana Manandhar said, as the rights to shelter is also the human rights, no one should be forcefully evicted without any alternatives. Indication towards the trend of demolishing the infrastructure for the expansion of the road and city development, she said, the decision for such action should be taken in coordination and participation of the stakeholders. On her remarks, highlighting the housing program in Kirtiput, Pokhara, Lekhnath and Birgunj that has been implemented by Lumanti, she also talked about the existing housing project in Biratnagar. On the occasion, she stressed the need of more attention from the local government for the housing projects and emphasized the essentiality for allocating budget for the same. 

 

Other speaking on the occasion were Bhim Parajuli from Nepali Congress, Baburam Karki from CPN (UML) and profession Dr. Khagendra Acharya.

 

The interaction program was conducted in two sessions. In the technical session followed by inaugural session, Senior Journalists Bijay Mishra presented his paper on Shelter Policy and Rights to Shelter. Presenting his paper he highlighted, more than 50 pecent of the houses in Biratnagar are constructed without the approval from the authority, this is because of the hectic procedure. He raised the issues of growing informal settlements, problems in solid waste management and pollution of water bodies, development of decent cities and management of growing rental accommodation. The presentation was followed by the remarks from Economist Dr. Bedraj Acharya and Profession Dr. P.K Jha. Dr. Acharya stressed the need of mandatory financial contribution while providing land and home for those resided in informal settlements whereas Dr. Jha stressed the need of municipal attention for reducing air and sound pollution in the city. 

 

With the participation of 87 people representing from Disctict Development Committee, Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City, UNDP, Lumanti, INSEC, different political parties, stakeholders and media the Interaction program was organized by Urban Community Resource Center run by Citizen Forum Biratnagar with support from LUMANTI Support Group for Shelter.