Top3 min readGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation ProgramGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation Program In a major institutional reform aimed at modernizing Nepal’s agricultural infrastructure, the government has approved the establishment of Irrigation Management Company Limited, a new entity tasked with operating the country’s latest mechanical irrigation system. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday endorsed the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, marking a significant step toward commercializing and expanding scientific irrigation in Nepal’s farmlands.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Global Aviation2 min readGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New RecordsGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New Records The global aviation industry is once again demonstrating remarkable resilience, with fresh projections indicating that passenger traffic and airline revenues will surpass all previous records by 2026. Despite contending with geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory tightening across multiple regions, analysts say the sector’s post-pandemic recovery is now firmly underway.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation ProgramGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation Program In a major institutional reform aimed at modernizing Nepal’s agricultural infrastructure, the government has approved the establishment of Irrigation Management Company Limited, a new entity tasked with operating the country’s latest mechanical irrigation system. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday endorsed the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, marking a significant step toward commercializing and expanding scientific irrigation in Nepal’s farmlands.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Global Aviation2 min readGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New RecordsGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New Records The global aviation industry is once again demonstrating remarkable resilience, with fresh projections indicating that passenger traffic and airline revenues will surpass all previous records by 2026. Despite contending with geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory tightening across multiple regions, analysts say the sector’s post-pandemic recovery is now firmly underway.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readNRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model UnfoldsNRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model Unfolds In a decisive intervention aimed at preventing one of Nepal’s longstanding regional development banks from collapsing, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has initiated a sweeping restructuring plan for Karnali Development Bank. The move, unprecedented in the country’s financial history, comes after the bank reached a state where returning depositors’ savings was no longer possible, raising the specter of a full-scale institutional failure and public panic.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Hindu Rate of Growth4 min readModi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic PhraseModi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic Phrase A remark by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit has reopened a decades-old economic and ideological debate surrounding the term “Hindu Rate of Growth”—a phrase originally coined to describe India’s sluggish economic performance in the mid-20th century. Speaking at the event, Modi argued that linking a low economic growth rate to the cultural identity of the Hindu majority reflected “a colonial mindset,” one that unfairly associated India’s slow development with its religious traditions rather than with structural policy barriers or historical circumstances. “Our entire civilization was tagged with unproductivity and poverty through this terminology,” he said, adding that the phrase was never questioned for its communal implication.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top4 min readGovernment Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise AlarmGovernment Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise Alarm In a decision that has ignited sharp debate among tax experts and former revenue officials, the Government of Nepal has moved to end the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Mauritius—but only after granting Dolma Impact Fund nearly NPR 880 million in capital gains tax (CGT) exemption, a move critics say could cost the state far more in the months ahead. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday approved the proposal presented by Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal to terminate the long-standing tax treaty. The decision, however, comes under intense scrutiny because the treaty, even after termination, remains valid for an additional six months—providing a window during which Dolma could seek additional tax waivers amounting to up to NPR 5 billion, according to a former Director General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top4 min readCIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness ExposedCIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness Exposed In recent months, Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has widened its investigative net over the country’s banking and financial institutions, signaling a new era of aggressive enforcement against financial misconduct. As economic irregularities continue to surface, the CIB has increasingly stepped into a space traditionally dominated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), raising questions about the effectiveness of the nation’s financial regulator.Dipesh Ghimire·9 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readFrom Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan MahatFrom Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat When Nepal entered a new democratic era after the 1990 People’s Movement (2046 BS), Girija Prasad Koirala—then a towering political personality—was preparing to lead the first democratic government. Although highly influential politically, Koirala was not known for economic expertise. In search of a capable economist who could design Nepal’s new economic framework, he initially approached Sukdev Shah, an economist based in the United States. According to political accounts, Koirala offered him the position of Finance Minister. But when Shah asked, “How much salary does a finance minister earn?”, Koirala reportedly became upset and hung up the phone—a revealing anecdote that has become part of Nepal’s political folklore.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Foreign Investment 3 min readForeign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment ClimateForeign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment Climate Nepal has seen noticeable improvement in foreign investment commitments in recent years, with the past three months alone attracting more than Rs 35 billion in pledged inflows. However, the momentum has been clouded by the recent GenZ movement, which has shaken investor confidence and reignited concerns about safety, political stability and the overall business environment. While headline numbers appear encouraging, the underlying sentiment among investors has become increasingly cautious.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily ExpendituresGovernment Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily Expenditures Nepal’s revenue crisis has deepened further, with the government once again failing to collect revenue as targeted. Officials and economists warn that this shortfall may soon make it difficult for the state to even sustain its daily administrative expenses. The latest revenue performance indicates that the government’s fiscal machinery is weakening at a time when public expectations and expenditure commitments are at historic highs.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent ReformGovernment Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent Reform A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate. A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation ProgramGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation Program In a major institutional reform aimed at modernizing Nepal’s agricultural infrastructure, the government has approved the establishment of Irrigation Management Company Limited, a new entity tasked with operating the country’s latest mechanical irrigation system. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday endorsed the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, marking a significant step toward commercializing and expanding scientific irrigation in Nepal’s farmlands.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Global Aviation2 min readGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New RecordsGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New Records The global aviation industry is once again demonstrating remarkable resilience, with fresh projections indicating that passenger traffic and airline revenues will surpass all previous records by 2026. Despite contending with geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory tightening across multiple regions, analysts say the sector’s post-pandemic recovery is now firmly underway.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readNRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model UnfoldsNRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model Unfolds In a decisive intervention aimed at preventing one of Nepal’s longstanding regional development banks from collapsing, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has initiated a sweeping restructuring plan for Karnali Development Bank. The move, unprecedented in the country’s financial history, comes after the bank reached a state where returning depositors’ savings was no longer possible, raising the specter of a full-scale institutional failure and public panic.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Hindu Rate of Growth4 min readModi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic PhraseModi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic Phrase A remark by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit has reopened a decades-old economic and ideological debate surrounding the term “Hindu Rate of Growth”—a phrase originally coined to describe India’s sluggish economic performance in the mid-20th century. Speaking at the event, Modi argued that linking a low economic growth rate to the cultural identity of the Hindu majority reflected “a colonial mindset,” one that unfairly associated India’s slow development with its religious traditions rather than with structural policy barriers or historical circumstances. “Our entire civilization was tagged with unproductivity and poverty through this terminology,” he said, adding that the phrase was never questioned for its communal implication.Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top4 min readGovernment Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise AlarmGovernment Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise Alarm In a decision that has ignited sharp debate among tax experts and former revenue officials, the Government of Nepal has moved to end the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Mauritius—but only after granting Dolma Impact Fund nearly NPR 880 million in capital gains tax (CGT) exemption, a move critics say could cost the state far more in the months ahead. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday approved the proposal presented by Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal to terminate the long-standing tax treaty. The decision, however, comes under intense scrutiny because the treaty, even after termination, remains valid for an additional six months—providing a window during which Dolma could seek additional tax waivers amounting to up to NPR 5 billion, according to a former Director General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025
Top4 min readCIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness ExposedCIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness Exposed In recent months, Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has widened its investigative net over the country’s banking and financial institutions, signaling a new era of aggressive enforcement against financial misconduct. As economic irregularities continue to surface, the CIB has increasingly stepped into a space traditionally dominated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), raising questions about the effectiveness of the nation’s financial regulator.Dipesh Ghimire·9 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readFrom Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan MahatFrom Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat When Nepal entered a new democratic era after the 1990 People’s Movement (2046 BS), Girija Prasad Koirala—then a towering political personality—was preparing to lead the first democratic government. Although highly influential politically, Koirala was not known for economic expertise. In search of a capable economist who could design Nepal’s new economic framework, he initially approached Sukdev Shah, an economist based in the United States. According to political accounts, Koirala offered him the position of Finance Minister. But when Shah asked, “How much salary does a finance minister earn?”, Koirala reportedly became upset and hung up the phone—a revealing anecdote that has become part of Nepal’s political folklore.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Foreign Investment 3 min readForeign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment ClimateForeign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment Climate Nepal has seen noticeable improvement in foreign investment commitments in recent years, with the past three months alone attracting more than Rs 35 billion in pledged inflows. However, the momentum has been clouded by the recent GenZ movement, which has shaken investor confidence and reignited concerns about safety, political stability and the overall business environment. While headline numbers appear encouraging, the underlying sentiment among investors has become increasingly cautious.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily ExpendituresGovernment Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily Expenditures Nepal’s revenue crisis has deepened further, with the government once again failing to collect revenue as targeted. Officials and economists warn that this shortfall may soon make it difficult for the state to even sustain its daily administrative expenses. The latest revenue performance indicates that the government’s fiscal machinery is weakening at a time when public expectations and expenditure commitments are at historic highs.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Top3 min readGovernment Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent ReformGovernment Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent Reform A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate. A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate.Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025
Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025Government Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation ProgramGovernment Sets Up Irrigation Management Company to Operate Nepal’s First Large-Scale Mechanical Irrigation Program In a major institutional reform aimed at modernizing Nepal’s agricultural infrastructure, the government has approved the establishment of Irrigation Management Company Limited, a new entity tasked with operating the country’s latest mechanical irrigation system. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday endorsed the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, marking a significant step toward commercializing and expanding scientific irrigation in Nepal’s farmlands.Top3 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025Global Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New RecordsGlobal Aviation Rebounds Strongly as Passenger Numbers and Airline Revenues Set New Records The global aviation industry is once again demonstrating remarkable resilience, with fresh projections indicating that passenger traffic and airline revenues will surpass all previous records by 2026. Despite contending with geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory tightening across multiple regions, analysts say the sector’s post-pandemic recovery is now firmly underway.Global Aviation2 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025NRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model UnfoldsNRB’s Bold Rescue of Karnali Development Bank: Depositors to Take Ownership as Historic Reform Model Unfolds In a decisive intervention aimed at preventing one of Nepal’s longstanding regional development banks from collapsing, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has initiated a sweeping restructuring plan for Karnali Development Bank. The move, unprecedented in the country’s financial history, comes after the bank reached a state where returning depositors’ savings was no longer possible, raising the specter of a full-scale institutional failure and public panic.Top3 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025Modi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic PhraseModi Rekindles Debate on "Hindu Rate of Growth" as India Revisits a Controversial Economic Phrase A remark by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit has reopened a decades-old economic and ideological debate surrounding the term “Hindu Rate of Growth”—a phrase originally coined to describe India’s sluggish economic performance in the mid-20th century. Speaking at the event, Modi argued that linking a low economic growth rate to the cultural identity of the Hindu majority reflected “a colonial mindset,” one that unfairly associated India’s slow development with its religious traditions rather than with structural policy barriers or historical circumstances. “Our entire civilization was tagged with unproductivity and poverty through this terminology,” he said, adding that the phrase was never questioned for its communal implication.Hindu Rate of Growth4 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·10 Dec, 2025Government Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise AlarmGovernment Grants Major Tax Exemption to Dolma Impact Fund Before Terminating Mauritius Treaty; Revenue Loss Risks Raise Alarm In a decision that has ignited sharp debate among tax experts and former revenue officials, the Government of Nepal has moved to end the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Mauritius—but only after granting Dolma Impact Fund nearly NPR 880 million in capital gains tax (CGT) exemption, a move critics say could cost the state far more in the months ahead. The Cabinet meeting held on Monday approved the proposal presented by Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal to terminate the long-standing tax treaty. The decision, however, comes under intense scrutiny because the treaty, even after termination, remains valid for an additional six months—providing a window during which Dolma could seek additional tax waivers amounting to up to NPR 5 billion, according to a former Director General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).Top4 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·9 Dec, 2025CIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness ExposedCIB Tightens Grip on Financial Sector as NRB’s Supervisory Weakness Exposed In recent months, Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has widened its investigative net over the country’s banking and financial institutions, signaling a new era of aggressive enforcement against financial misconduct. As economic irregularities continue to surface, the CIB has increasingly stepped into a space traditionally dominated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), raising questions about the effectiveness of the nation’s financial regulator.Top4 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025From Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan MahatFrom Architect of Nepal’s Open Economy to Alzheimer’s Struggle: The Rise, Influence and Controversy of Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat When Nepal entered a new democratic era after the 1990 People’s Movement (2046 BS), Girija Prasad Koirala—then a towering political personality—was preparing to lead the first democratic government. Although highly influential politically, Koirala was not known for economic expertise. In search of a capable economist who could design Nepal’s new economic framework, he initially approached Sukdev Shah, an economist based in the United States. According to political accounts, Koirala offered him the position of Finance Minister. But when Shah asked, “How much salary does a finance minister earn?”, Koirala reportedly became upset and hung up the phone—a revealing anecdote that has become part of Nepal’s political folklore.Top3 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025Foreign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment ClimateForeign Investment Commitments Rise Sharply, but GenZ Movement Casts New Doubts Over Nepal’s Investment Climate Nepal has seen noticeable improvement in foreign investment commitments in recent years, with the past three months alone attracting more than Rs 35 billion in pledged inflows. However, the momentum has been clouded by the recent GenZ movement, which has shaken investor confidence and reignited concerns about safety, political stability and the overall business environment. While headline numbers appear encouraging, the underlying sentiment among investors has become increasingly cautious.Foreign Investment 3 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025Government Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily ExpendituresGovernment Fails to Meet Revenue Targets Again, Raising Fears of Inability to Cover Daily Expenditures Nepal’s revenue crisis has deepened further, with the government once again failing to collect revenue as targeted. Officials and economists warn that this shortfall may soon make it difficult for the state to even sustain its daily administrative expenses. The latest revenue performance indicates that the government’s fiscal machinery is weakening at a time when public expectations and expenditure commitments are at historic highs.Top3 min read
Dipesh Ghimire·8 Dec, 2025Government Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent ReformGovernment Funds Hold Over Rs 40 Billion as Mismanagement Risks Emerge: Study Calls for Urgent Reform A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate. A government study has uncovered that more than Rs 40 billion remains parked across ten different employee-related funds managed by public institutions—raising concerns about financial discipline, transparency, and future liabilities. These funds, originally created to cover retirement, medical benefits, gratuity, and risk protection for employees, have grown into massive reserves, but the absence of centralized oversight has now become a matter of national financial debate.Top3 min read