By Diwakar Pokhrel, Deukhuri, Oct. 10: Land transaction in Rapti Valley including Deukhuri area has gone up surreptitiously as soon as State Assembly of recently named Lumbini State endorsed Deukhuri as the permanent capital of the State.

Although the government banned land transaction of the core and surrounding area of the State capital sensing that there would be unusual transaction of the land in Rapti valley, locals said that mode of transaction had changed into advance payment and non-official transaction of land.

Buying and selling of land has taken place in mutual understanding based on informal and homely documents.

The government has restricted real estate business at Ward no. 8 and 9 of Shitganga Municipality of Arghakhanchi district and Ward no 1, 2 and 3 of Rapti Rural Municipality and Gadhwa Rural Municipality.

Bir Bahadur Darlami, a local of Shitganga Municipality-8, said that people in groups one after another were visiting the place in search of land on sale. "My neighbours have sold land signing simple domestic documents although I have not sold any piece," he said.

Price of land has also increased by four times in the last few days. A ropani of land in Satmara, Lahape area would cost about Rs. five lakh till a few days ago, now it is about Rs. 15-20 lakh.