Kathmandu: The government has launched action against organizations and individuals occupying stalls, booths, and buildings at Bhrikutimandap, a property owned by the Social Welfare Council, for failing to pay rent. Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Sita Badi, who also chairs the council, had raised concerns over long-standing unpaid dues by various occupants using the premises.
On Monday, council officials, backed by security personnel, locked several units after outstanding rent from 20 organizations climbed to Rs 77.98 million. Prominent social organisations and the Reporters Club are among the leading defaulters. At the same time, a student wing affiliated with the CPN-UML has also been found to have occupied a stall for years without paying rent.
The Kathmandu Valley Public Library Society tops the list, owing nearly Rs 29 million for two stalls alone. Despite repeated notices and public announcements, the dues remain unpaid. The National Federation of the Disabled Nepal follows with over Rs 11.6 million in arrears, also ignoring multiple reminders. Similarly, the NGO Federation for Children Nepal has yet to clear nearly Rs 9 million in rent.
The Reporters Club, led by Rishi Dhamala, has failed to pay over Rs 7.3 million despite repeated correspondence and notices. Other defaulters include a private events company and several small business operators running shops and eateries within the premises, many of whom owe amounts ranging from a few hundred thousand to over a million rupees.
Several organizations, including the Federation of Nepali Photo Journalists, the National Human Rights Protection Forum, and the Consumer Forum Nepal, have also not cleared their dues despite multiple warnings. In one case, a social organization subleased a stall without council approval, although the sub-tenant has been paying rent regularly.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists also has unpaid dues exceeding Rs 3.3 million. Meanwhile, a student organization aligned with the UML has been accused of forcibly कब्जing a stall in 2020 by breaking locks and has not paid rent since.
Despite years of attempts—including official letters, public notices, and even forming recovery committees since 2012—the council says many occupants have continued to defy payment obligations. Some have been operating without agreements, while others rely on outdated contracts.
Spread across 214 ropanis, Bhrikutimandap is now set for restructuring under a new master plan. The government has signalled a tougher stance, aiming to clear encroachments, recover dues, and bring the area under proper management. Authorities have also warned that stalls belonging to persistent defaulters will be shut down.
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