Karobar: How are you addressing the issue of land reform that has been at the heart of the current political process? 
Joshi: First and foremost, we have to be clear that redistribution of land is no longer an option. Today land is used not just for agriculture, but also other productive purposes. So we have to create a national land use policy first, then identify the real landless and homeless families and secure their shelter and use of land. Creating commissions for political recruitment is not a long-term solution.
Four years ago the Maoists used the slogan of land redistribution to garner support. How are you working with the same party in the government with a different approach?
As a leftist, I believe power must be used to empower the powerless. It is unfortunate that for the last six years, the communist parties that came to power in the country failed to practice this principle. If you wield power by selling unrealistic dreams, it ultimately backfires. The UML used the land issue to mobilise support of the landless in the 1990s, the Maoists did the same and look what it has gotten them into.
The NC led government ended the kamaiya (bonded labour) system 12 years ago and in the last two decades two high level commissions have been formed to address the issue of landlessness. How do you evaluate them?
Abolishing the kamaiya system was a historic achievement which must be appreciated. But the rehabilitation process was not handled properly and the kamaiya problem persists even today.
The land certificates that the UML distributed in Butwal during its nine months in government went mostly to wealthy families. The last commission formed by the Maoist government collected details of landless families from 25 districts and recommended them for land certificates. But I was not convinced with their study and did not extend the mandate of the commission. I do not believe that in a turbulent political environment, one party can impartially implement such major policy reform. It requires broader political involvement and consensus.
You have decided to deny NRNs and foreigners to purchase and sell apartments in the country. Why did you do that?
I feel allowing foreigners to purchase and sell apartments is not in Nepal's best interest. Home ownership is a sensitive issue related to the country's internal security. As it is, we have foreigners interfering with our domestic matters and carrying out their activities on our land. If we permit them to purchase private homes, such unpleasant activities might increase.
