Seven royal palaces to come under govt ownership

The ministerial committee formed to nationalise the royal properties has decided to bring seven royal palaces under government ownership.

Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel speaking to media persons after a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar Thursday afternoon, Aug 23 07. The meeting approved the ministerial panel’s decision to bring seven royal palaces, including the Narayanhiti palace, under the government’s ownership. nepalnews.com/ANA

Communication minister and government spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara told reporters after a cabinet meeting that seven royal palaces in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Gorkha, Nuwakot and Lamjung would be registered in the government’s name. These palaces include the sprawling Nayanhiti royal palace where King Gyanendra and his family live, and the Hanumandhoka Durbar, a tourist attraction in central Kathmandu.

1533 ropanies of land covered by these palaces will also come under the government’s ownership. The committee headed by Home Minister Krishna Sitaula has already sent notices to the concerned government agencies asking them to stop all kinds of transactions of the properties of the royal family.

The committee has also decided to freeze the bank accounts of King Gyanendra, Queen Komal and Crown Prince Paras to stop transfer of money from the late King Birendra and late Queen Aishwarya.

A cabinet meeting on Monday had formed the ministerial committee, which comprises Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Minister for Physical Planning and Works and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation as members. The committee has been given 15 days to complete its task. nepalnews.com mk Aug 23 07

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