The Government of Nepal’s Council of Ministers, during its meeting held on Baisakh 2, 2083 BS, approved six major decisions covering financial assistance, public accountability, tax administration, legislative procedures and judicial appointments. One of the most significant decisions was the formation of a commission to investigate the assets of senior political officeholders and high-ranking employees who held public positions between Chaitra 24, 2062 BS, and Chaitra 13, 2082 BS. The commission includes former Supreme Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, former Chief Justice Purushottam Parajuli, former Justice Chandiraj Dhakal, former Senior Superintendent of Police Ganesh K.C., and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal. The commission is tasked with collecting, verifying and investigating property details of individuals who occupied senior political and administrative positions during the specified period, reflecting the government’s effort to strengthen public accountability and examine potential irregularities in asset accumulation.
On international financial cooperation, the Cabinet approved the acceptance of CHF 1 million (one million Swiss francs) in grant assistance from the Government of Switzerland for the Strengthening Integrity, Truth, Justice and Reconciliation in Nepal Project. The funding decision supports Nepal’s efforts to advance transitional justice, reconciliation and institutional accountability. The Cabinet also decided to designate senior officials of the Inland Revenue Department, Large Taxpayer Office, Medium-Level Taxpayer Office and Inland Revenue Offices as designated officers with specified authority for administering income tax and value-added tax matters. The decision covers the Director General, Deputy Directors General, Chief Tax Administrators, Chief Tax Officers and Tax Officers, assigning them responsibilities under the applicable tax legislation.
The Cabinet also approved the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (Third Amendment) Regulations, introducing changes to Nepal’s public financial administration framework. In addition, it directed the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to submit details of the provisions and recommendations concerning the mutual legal assistance agreement between Nepal and India for consideration by the relevant parliamentary committee. These decisions address government financial governance, tax administration and bilateral legal cooperation, while establishing procedures for further legislative and administrative review.
In the judicial sector, the Cabinet decided to appoint High Court Patan Judge Chandra Bahadur Saru as Chairperson of the Special Court in Kathmandu, in addition to his existing judicial responsibilities. The appointment is intended to support the Special Court’s leadership and judicial administration. The six decisions collectively highlight the government’s priorities concerning asset investigations, international cooperation, fiscal accountability, tax administration, bilateral legal coordination and judicial management. The document records Cabinet approvals and administrative decisions but does not establish findings of wrongdoing against any individuals, confirm the disbursement of Swiss grant funds or provide a completion deadline for the asset investigation.
