Published: 12:38 AM, 17 April 2026
Asset volume of all Nepalese officials, politicians will be scrutinized: Balendra
The Nepalese government led by Balendra Shah has relatively quickly made public the asset details of its cabinet members. The asset declarations of the Prime Minister and ministers were released just 17 days after the formation of the government. Balendra Shah has informed that the wealth statements and asset volume of all Nepalese government officials and politicians will be examined.
The asset details released on Sunday have received mixed reactions. Former Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal commented that asset declarations are often less reliable. On Facebook, Khanal stated that income statements and tax clearance records submitted to the Inland Revenue Office are more credible.
'Asset declarations are often less reliable. In contrast, income statements and tax clearance records submitted to the Inland Revenue Office provide a more reliable, transparent, and verifiable basis for assessing financial integrity,' he wrote.
However, Khanal himself is facing criticism for not making asset details public when he was the Finance Minister in the interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. All members of the Karki government, which conducted peaceful elections, left office without disclosing their assets.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers had released details including the Prime Minister and ministers' bank balances worth millions, gold, silver, share investments, and land holdings. After public questions were raised regarding the source of the assets of the cabinet members, who are predominantly under 40, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung responded via social media. Gurung remarked that while it is not a mistake to be born poor, it is a mistake to die poor.
'It is not your fault that you were born poor, but it is your fault if you die poor. Be aware,' he replied to his critics. However, following criticism of this statement, he removed the status from the network.
Demands for an investigation have begun to grow as the sources of wealth of the new generation of leaders, who entered politics by questioning how old party leaders who entered the city in 2046 BS with nothing but slippers acquired luxurious houses, bungalows, land, and wealth, have appeared unbelievable.
