Nepalis in UK for retaining control
Nabin Pokharel
As the government is mulling to sell its embassy building located at Kensington Palace Gardens in London, the UK-based Nepalis have urged the authorities to keep the property .
The government team commissioned for the property assessment has started its work, but the Nepalis here have opposed the idea of selling the infrastructure situated at one of London’s most posh locations. Various UK-based Nepali organisations said it would be ‘very unfortunate’ to sell the property on that grounds that the government cannot afford its maintenance.
“The first ever established address of Nepali mission on crown property is being put up on sale for commission. To say London embassy that makes more than Rs 40 million annually cannot renovate the building is a silly reason,” said Dr Raghav Prasad Dhital, a Nepali living in London.
The embassy building was acquired on lease by the government in 1934. The lease agreement was last renewed for another 99 years in 1980. The embassy pays a yearly rent of only 1,000 pound sterling. According to the agreement, the annual rent is to increase to 1,500 pound sterling after completing 50 years of lease duration and 2,000 pound sterling after 75 years. The embassy still has 66 years of lease duration.
Published on: 25 March 2013 | The Kathmandu Post
GET IN TOUCH