Nepal Cuts Missing-Person Death Declaration to 45 Days

Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued an ordinance amending several disaster-related laws, allowing people missing in disasters to be declared dead after 45 days instead of the existing 12-year period.

The President’s Office said the ordinance was issued under Article 114 (1) of the Constitution on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

The move comes in the wake of the Bhotekoshi flood.

The government had recommended three ordinances for presidential approval, but only the disaster-related ordinance has been issued so far.

The other two proposed ordinances, concerning amendments to land-related and forest-related laws, remain under review.

The proposed land legislation includes provisions to distribute land to landless Dalits, squatters and people living on land without formal authorization.