Today’s news centers on government directives, accountability issues, and targeted measures affecting finance, disaster preparedness, and public benefits.
Politics & Governance
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed local authorities to maintain regular office attendance to strengthen disaster response readiness during emergencies. Separately, 13 local levels failed to unveil their budgets for the current fiscal year, with delays attributed to political disputes and technical issues. The gaps leave several municipalities and rural areas short of the constitutional timeline for budget presentation as the Asar deadline has passed. Ministry of Home Affairs directive Local level budget delays Constitutional budget deadline
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the government will move to resolve capital market challenges through swift regulatory coordination with financial stakeholders. A parliamentary hearing committee is also set to meet today to discuss appointments and legislative matters. In a wider political context, concerns have been raised about declining trading conditions and recent policy changes. PM Shah commits to resolve capital market challenges Parliamentary Hearing Committee meeting today Nepal Political Briefing | July 20
Courts & Accountability
Investigations are underway into alleged corruption in social security allowance distribution in Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality. The report highlights that misappropriation has also been alleged within welfare payments, prompting further scrutiny of the local delivery process. The case adds to ongoing demands for cleaner administration of public funds. Corruption in social security allowances in Durgabhagwati Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality corruption probe Social welfare fund investigation
Economy & Business
The government announced a reward scheme to encourage citizens to request original VAT-registered bills, aiming to increase bill collection and participation in the tax system. Under the plan, one daily selected participant could win 1 million NPR to become a millionaire, while monthly draws will award two additional winners with 1 million NPR each. Officials said the initiative is designed to make the tax process more transparent while boosting consumer engagement. New reward scheme for original bills Original bill reward eligibility Transparency through bill collection
Society & Community
Risk updates from the Flood Forecasting Section indicate major rivers are below alert levels, but medium risk of sudden flooding remains in small rivers across 12 districts. Authorities have urged people in riverbank areas to maintain high alert as higher flows are expected over the next two days in parts of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim provinces. Community safety guidance comes amid continued emphasis on preparedness following earlier emergency directives. Flood risk in small rivers in 12 districts High alert advisory Expected increased flows
Nepal, China, and the FAO launched an agriculture and food system strengthening project focused on improving food security and agricultural productivity. In parallel, regional emergency news reported a deadly landslide in Sikkim affecting workers at the Teesta hydropower project, with rescue efforts complicated by continuous rain and difficult access. The developments underline both domestic preparedness messaging and the broader vulnerability of infrastructure and livelihoods to extreme weather. Agriculture food system strengthening project Landslide at Teesta hydropower tunnel Rescue operations hindered by rain
Date: July 21, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 05, 2083
Top News
1. सरकारले ल्यायो सक्कली बिल लिने उपभोक्तालाई लखपति बनाउने नयाँ पुरस्कार योजना (nepalnews.com)
The government of Nepal is launching a new reward scheme aimed at encouraging citizens to request genuine bills, with the goal of increasing participation in the tax system. Consumers who obtain official bills from VAT-registered transactions will be eligible, with daily selections making one participant a millionaire and monthly draws awarding two winners with 1 million NPR each. The initiative is expected to promote bill collection and enhance the transparency of the tax system.
2. Ministry directs local authorities to attend office regularly for disaster response (risingnepaldaily.com)
The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed local authorities to ensure regular office attendance to enhance disaster response capabilities. This directive aims to improve preparedness and coordination during emergencies.
3. 13 local levels fail to unveil budget for current fiscal year (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Thirteen local levels in Nepal have failed to unveil their budgets for the current fiscal year, with 740 out of 753 local levels having made their budgets public. The lagging local governments are primarily located in Madhes Province, including Sukhipur Municipality and several others, citing political disputes and technical issues as reasons for the delays. The constitutional deadline for local levels to present their budgets is within the month of Asar, which has now passed.
4. सिक्किमको टिस्टा जलविद्युत् आयोजनाको सुरुङमा पहिरो : ८ जनाको मृत्यु, १९ जना थुनिए (www.ratopati.com)
A landslide in the Samardung area of Namchi district, Sikkim, has resulted in the deaths of at least eight workers at the Teesta hydropower project. Nineteen others are feared trapped inside the tunnel, with rescue operations hindered by continuous rain and difficult terrain. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Gole confirmed that rescue teams from various agencies are on-site, and he expressed condolences to the victims' families.
5. १२ जिल्लाका साना नदीमा बाढीको जोखिम, उच्च सतर्कता अपनाउन आग्रह (www.ratopati.com)
The Flood Forecasting Section has reported that the flow of major rivers in Nepal is below alert levels, but there is a medium risk of sudden flooding in small rivers across 12 districts. Over the next two days, an increase in flow is expected in small rivers in the Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim provinces, prompting authorities to advise residents in riverbank areas to take necessary precautions.
6. नेपाल, चीन र एफएओ साझेदारीमा ‘कृषि खाद्य प्रणाली सुदृढीकरण’ परियोजना सुरु (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal, China, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a project aimed at strengthening agricultural food systems. This initiative focuses on enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Nepal.
7. दुर्गा भगवती गाउँपालिकामा सामाजिक सुरक्षा भत्तामा पनि भ्रष्टाचार (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Corruption has been reported in the distribution of social security allowances in Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality. Investigations are underway to address the misappropriation of funds intended for social welfare.
8. PM Shah commits to resolve capital market challenges (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has committed to addressing the challenges in Nepal's capital market and securities sector, emphasizing the need for swift regulatory actions. During a consultation meeting with financial stakeholders, he assured that government authorities will coordinate with industry representatives to create a conducive trading environment and implement legitimate business demands.
9. Parliamentary Hearing Committee meeting today (risingnepaldaily.com)
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting today. The agenda includes discussions on various appointments and legislative matters.
10. Nepal Political Briefing | July 20 (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is addressing concerns over Nepal's declining capital market, with the NEPSE index dropping below 2,600 points and daily trading turnover halved since the RSP-led government took office. The government has also suspended civil service recruitment for one year amid administrative restructuring, while over 75% of paddy transplantation has been completed, indicating a positive agricultural outlook. Additionally, a new provision allowing MPs to appoint personal assistants has sparked debate regarding fiscal austerity, and Nepal celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations with Russia.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 154.62 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.2 |
| AUD → NPR | 108.2 |
| GBP → NPR | 208.13 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.52 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4051.13 | NPR 234,894.39 |
| Silver | $57.94 | NPR 3,359.50 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
