Seven Nepal royal palaces to be nationalized

Nepals ministerial committee set up to nationalise the royal properties has decided to bring seven royal palaces under the Government ownership.

Kathmandu, Aug 24 : Nepal's ministerial committee set up to nationalise the royal properties has decided to bring seven royal palaces under the Government ownership.

A Cabinet meeting at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koiralas's official residence in Baluwatar, on Thursday, approved the panel's proposal.

The palaces to come under Government care include the sprawling Nayanhiti royal palace, where King Gyanendra and his family live, and the Hanumandhoka Durbar, a tourist attraction in Central Kathmandu, reported Nepalnews.

Communication Minister and Government Spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that seven royal palaces in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Gorkha, Nuwakot and Lamjung would be registered in the government's name.

Besides, 1533 ropanies of land under the palace will also come under the government's ownership.

The committee headed by Home Minister Krishna Sitaula has already sent notices to the government agencies directing them to stop all kinds of transactions of the royal family concerning the place properties.

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 accounts of late King Birendra and late Queen Aishwarya.

The Sitaula committee set up on Monday by the Cabinet has been given 15 days time to complete its task of nationalising royal properties.

ANI