From Animosity to Peace: Effective Role of Mediation Center in Settling Monetary Disputes
January 01, 2017
Gunjaman Shrestha,75, resident of Bungkot VDC of Gorkha district has only one son, who was living separately for four years after the son’s marriage. Shrestha had been working in his land in this old age in as he was not supported by his son and daughter-in-law. Both of them were abroad for foreign employment and had now returned to his village. He never took alcohol and also encouraged others to follow the suit. Gunjaman was in the habit of saving whatever a little amount he received from his son and daughter-in-law.
On 29th April,2014 his neighbor named Dhurba Thapa came in his house and asked him to lend some money. He then offered Dhurba 20 thousand at a yearly interest rate of NPR 2. The amount was to be returned with the interest within a year as per their oral agreement. Days passed, on 25th April, 2015 a massive earthquake struck Nepal with the epicenter at Barpak VDC of Gorkha district. Many people of Bungkot VDC lost their lives and properties. Hundreds of people were made homeless with entire villages flattened. They could not have a proper sleep owing to recurring tremor. They lived under the tent. In this context, Gunjaman went to his son and daughter-in-law seeking for some help but they politely declined saying that government would issue some monetary help to the quake affected people after Dashain festival. Thereafter, Gunjaman knocked at his borrower’s door, who started dilly-dallying about the money he had to pay back.
Two years passed by but he was not paid back the lent amount. He finally decided to take the issue with the authorities and approached the community mediation center in his village. At the mediation center, Gunjaman narrated his story to the coordinator. The coordinator, registered his oral complaint and decides to call Dhurba at the center. On 5th October, 2016 his dispute was facilitated and after long facilitation process and dialogue between the disputing parties it was reached as agreement that Dhruba would pay the due amount to Gunjaman with interest. Accordingly, Dhruba was agreed to pay the amount by 28 October. He, as agreed paid the amount but Gunjaman waived about NPR 400 accumulated as interest.
