Nepal to utilise assets of dead king for healthcare, education

Nepal's government has transferred movable and immovable property worth millions of rupees belonging to slain king Birendra and his family members to a trust to utilise them for welfare programmes such as education and healthcare for the general public.
So far, Rs 247.93 million equivalent to USD 2.48 million in cash has been transferred to the Nepal Trust, according to Shreedhar Gautam, secretary at the trust which is responsible for managing the property of the former royal family.
Similarly, 26,626 ropanis of land have been found in the name of the former King Birendra, former Queen Aishwarya and other members of the then royal family, he said.

However, only 15,273 ropanis of land has come under the control of the Trust.
The process of transferring ownership of the remaining 11,353 ropanis of land has been initiated, he said.
Last year 6,244 ropanis of land were transferred to the Nepal Trust, he added.

One ropani of land equals to 5,476 square feet.
Similarly, share certificates of Five Star Hotel Annapurna equivalent to Rs 230,300 has also been transferred in the name of the Trust.
Authorities are also trying to find out whether there are other movable and immovable properties in the name of the former royal family members, Gautam said.

The trust has plans to use the assets and cash belonging to the dead monarch and his family members for different welfare programmes such as education and health facilities for the general public, he said.
Birendra and his entire family were shot dead by his son crown prince Dipendra who then committed suicide, in the royal palace massacre of June 1, 2001.
The official probe commission has blamed Dipendra for the massacre, though questions have been raised by various quarters about its authenticity.