Kathmandu. The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration has appointed Dr. Govinda Tandon as the chairman of the board of directors of Guthi Sansthan.

Minister Pratibha Rawal has appointed him as the chairperson for the next three years as per clause (a) of Section 9 sub-section 1 of the Guthi Sansthan Act, 2033 BS, according to the ministry’s secretary Madan Bhujel. The newly appointed chairman Tandon also took charge at the central office of the corporation.

Tandon, who has a PhD in cultural studies in the Pashupati area, has also written books on Guthi tradition and culture and history. His books are ‘Guthi System in Nepal’ and ‘Guthi is land or heritage?’ Prior to this, he has also served as member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, treasurer and chairman of the Scholars’ Council of the Sansthan twice.

Talking to him after being appointed as the chairman of the corporation and the board of directors, he said that he would work on the Guthi Sansthan Act made in 2033 BS as there is no amendment or amendment yet. President Tandon also expressed his commitment to run programs to make people understand the importance of Guthi land as the message has gone to the general public that Guthi land is useless.

How much is the land of the Guthi? He also informed that since there is no record of this, the record will be prepared and it will be recorded in a digitized form. A record of how much Guthi land is in the name of each monastery and temple will also be prepared. He said that the government is yet to give Rs 30 billion to the Sansthan while collecting the Guthi land on different dates, so the amount will be demanded in installments and will be used for the management of monasteries and temples.

Chairman Tandon said that by providing additional manpower of engineers, overseers and technical staff in the institute, the work of reconstruction and renovation of monasteries and temples will be expedited. He said that the institute is the main place to preserve the tangible and intangible heritage of the country and it will be developed accordingly.

After assuming office, he announced that he would not take any services and facilities for being the chairman of the corporation and the board of directors. He also informed that he would provide one year’s service and facilities to the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund to help the Rasuwa flood victims and the remaining two years’ services and facilities would be used for other social works.