Kathmandu DAO Puts Digital Lock on NGO Land Sales to Prevent Fraud
Land Registry Digitization
15th October 2025, Kathmandu
The Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) has issued a stringent public notice.
Land Registry Digitization
It specifically calls for an immediate halt to the sale and transfer of land and Immovable Property registered under the names of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), associations, monasteries, temples, and trusts.
This decisive action is a critical step towards enhancing Legal Compliance and signals a governmental push toward comprehensive Land Registry Digitization to prevent fraudulent transactions.
The DAO’s directive stems from an official letter received from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This mandates a nationwide prohibition on the sale or distribution of all land assets held by such entities.
This measure emphasizes the government’s commitment to protecting public and communal property from unauthorized transfer or exploitation.
Combating Unauthorised NGO Land Sales
The Administration reported receiving concerning information. Despite the standing prohibition on NGO Land Sales, reports suggest that some organizations were still engaging in the illicit sale of their registered land assets.
The Kathmandu DAO voiced serious alarm over this breach of regulation.
Unauthorised transactions pose a significant risk to the integrity of public records. They undermine the lawful use of assets intended for social or religious purposes.
Such sales circumvent established protocols and threaten to expose buyers and sellers to future legal disputes. The government is actively working to close these legal loopholes.
The Role of Land Registry Digitization
The DAO’s firm stance directly supports the national initiative for Land Registry Digitization. Implementing robust digital systems in Land Revenue Offices is paramount.
Digitization creates a transparent, centralized record of property ownership. This dramatically reduces the opportunity for fraudulent sales and improper transfers.
A fully digitized system would allow Land Revenue Offices to instantly flag and reject transactions involving properties registered under the prohibited categories, such as NGO land.
This transition from paper-based records to secure, verifiable digital ledgers is essential for ensuring Legal Compliance across the entire district. It makes unauthorized transfers significantly more difficult to execute.
Enforcing Legal Compliance at Land Offices
The DAO has explicitly instructed all Land Revenue Offices within the Kathmandu district to treat the central notice as their operational mandate.
These offices must immediately cease all activities related to the sale, distribution, transfer of ownership, or registration of deeds for the specified types of land.
The notice serves as a powerful reminder of accountability. The Administration warned that any Land Revenue Office found to be processing transactions that violate this decision will face severe consequences.
Furthermore, any organization discovered engaging in illicit NGO Land Sales will be subject to action under the prevailing laws of Nepal. This firm commitment to enforcement reinforces the necessity of strict Legal Compliance.
Securing Immovable Property for Public Good
The core objective of this stringent action is to safeguard Immovable Property designated for public, religious, or community welfare.
Land held by trusts, temples, monasteries, and NGOs serves a non-commercial, public interest. Unregulated sale risks privatizing assets that belong to the wider community.
Digital solutions, coupled with firm regulatory action, offer the best defense against misuse. By prioritizing Land Registry Digitization, the government is building an infrastructure that supports not only financial transparency but also the ethical management of communal assets.
This decisive measure ensures that land intended for associations and trusts remains dedicated to its intended purpose, serving the public and maintaining strong Legal Compliance.
For more: Land Registry Digitization
