These days, it is tough getting a shop on rent at Mangal Bazaar area in Patan even at more than Rs. 20,000 per month, yet many locals are tenants of such shops for decades at less than Rs. 40 a month. And guess what? They have not paid the rent for the last five decades, not even a penny. It’s because, these houses belong to Guthi Sansthan.

According to the Guthi Sasthan branch office at Lalitpur, there are around 56 such business shutters at Mangal Bazaar and its premises Sundari Chowk and Chhaya Bahal which were built by the Sansthan in the 1960s. These shutters are being used by locals since 1966 in contract with Guthi Sansthan for Rs. 468.50 per year (Rs.39 a month which has not been revised till date).

At current market value, a business room in the area is worth Rs 250,000 per year which makes for a total Rs 140 million a year but the Sansthan has failed to even raise a few thousands. Only six of the total tenants are paying rent continually while others are playing hookey for decades. “Though the rate of rent is negligible in comparison to private shutters, the tenants have not paid it for decades,” said Ram Mani Acharya, chief at the Guthi Sansthan branch office, Lalitpur. “The contract is old, and it does not suit the present context.”

As per records at the Sansthan, Krisha Bhakta Maharjan, Laxmi Khadgi, Sundar Shakya and Ram Man Suwal are among 50 tenants who are not paying rent. “The tenants say that they are ready to pay as it is public property,” said a  staffer at the Sansthan. “We cannot punish them as they are locals.”

The Guthi Sansthan Act 1976, amended in 1992, clearly states that the Sansthan has right to have timely increase in the rent but it has not happened. It can also seek the help of the local administration and the police if the tenants don’t follow the contract provision.

 Guthi chief Birendra Thapaliya said his office is suffering due to government apathy.

source: The Kathmandu Post (2010),"Patan tenants pay peanuts to Guthi", 12 July 2010