Today’s news centers on governance actions, fiscal and telecom policy shifts, and accountability steps amid wider calls for inclusive development.
Politics & Governance
The Election Commission has initiated a parliamentary process to appoint new leadership following the end of caretaker arrangements, with proposed Chief Election Commissioner Man Bahadur Karki and commissioners Dr. Rajiv Subba and Guru Prasad Wagla facing a complaint window until July 20. After the hearings, the President is expected to appoint the officials, with local and provincial elections planned to be conducted simultaneously to reduce costs (Election Commission leadership process). In parallel, the constitution amendment taskforce coordinated with Prime Minister Balendra Shah has submitted its report after broad consultations involving 184 experts and more than 44,000 public suggestions organized into 20 thematic categories (Constitution amendment taskforce report).
In federal politics, Nepali Congress ministers in the Karnali Provincial Government have resigned collectively, including Rajiv Bikram Shah, with the resignations submitted during a Cabinet meeting. The provincial government remains led by CPN-UML’s Yamlal Kandel (Congress ministers resignation). Separately, the Minister Dr. Timilsina has directed newly appointed Nepal Telecommunications Authority members to prioritize national and institutional interests in strengthening the telecom sector (NTA member directives).
Courts & Accountability
The Property Investigation Commission has suspended the collection and investigation of property details for current and former public officials after a Supreme Court order issued on July 15. The order pauses work that was gathering information on political office holders and public employees, with exclusions including former judges and officials from constitutional commissions and the Nepal Army (PIC suspension after Supreme Court order). Meanwhile, Vishnu Paudel is facing claims related to alleged money laundering and a reported loss claim of around Rs 210 million, pointing to ongoing financial accountability pressures in public life (Vishnu Paudel money laundering allegations).
Economy & Business
From today, a new income tax provision is being implemented that requires people earning up to 1 million Nepali Rupees annually to pay 1% income tax, aiming to improve revenue collection and fiscal management. This change is linked to broader adjustments under the current tax rollout (New 1% income tax starting today). For governance-linked reforms, the government has formed a talks team led by Pushkar Sapkota to address loan shark victims’ demands, with representatives from multiple ministries participating (Loan shark victims talks team).
Beyond domestic measures, Nepal has urged international partners to mainstream the right to development in global financing and development cooperation, emphasizing inclusive and inequality-reducing approaches to sustainable development. The call positions Nepal’s development agenda within international policy and funding discussions (Right to development mainstreaming call).
Date: July 17, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 01, 2083
Top News
1. Nepal calls for mainstreaming right to development across global financing and development cooperation (risingnepaldaily.com)
Nepal has urged the international community to prioritize the right to development in global financing and development cooperation efforts. This call emphasizes the need for inclusive policies that support sustainable development and address inequalities.
2. आजदेखि नयाँ कर कार्यान्वयनमा, वार्षिक १० लाख कमाउने व्यक्तिले एक प्रतिशत आयकर तिर्नुपर्ने (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Starting today, a new tax regulation is in effect, requiring individuals earning up to 1 million Nepali Rupees annually to pay a 1% income tax. This policy aims to enhance revenue collection and improve fiscal management in the country.
3. Minister Dr Timilsina directs newly-appointed NTA members to prioritize national, institutional interests (risingnepaldaily.com)
Minister Dr. Timilsina has instructed the newly-appointed members of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to focus on national and institutional interests in their work. He emphasized the importance of their roles in enhancing the telecommunications sector in Nepal.
4. निर्वाचन आयोगको नयाँ नेतृत्वका लागि संसदीय प्रक्रिया सुरु (newsofnepal.com)
The Election Commission of Nepal is moving forward with the process of appointing new leadership after being under caretaker management. The parliamentary hearing committee has initiated the process for proposed Chief Election Commissioner Man Bahadur Karki and commissioners Dr. Rajiv Subba and Guru Prasad Wagla, inviting complaints against them until July 20. Following the hearings, the President will appoint the new officials, which is expected to enhance the management of upcoming elections and save costs by conducting local and provincial elections simultaneously.
5. विष्णु पौडेलमाथि सम्पत्ति शुद्धीकरणको आरोप, करिब २१ करोडको बिगो दाबी (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Vishnu Paudel is facing allegations of asset laundering, with claims of a loss amounting to approximately 210 million Nepali Rupees. The accusations suggest significant financial misconduct linked to his assets.
6. Talks team formed to address loan shark victims’ demands (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The government has established a talks team, led by Pushkar Sapkota, to address the demands of victims of loan sharking, with representatives from multiple ministries. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the minting of new Rs one and two coins, accepted a USD 1.81 million grant from Korea for a law information system, and endorsed various administrative measures and amendments.
7. PIC suspends collection of, investigation into property details of public officials (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Property Investigation Commission (PIC) has halted the collection and investigation of asset details for current and former public officials following a Supreme Court order from July 15. The commission was gathering information on political office holders and public employees, excluding former judges and officials from constitutional commissions and the Nepal Army, with a deadline set for today.
8. Congress Ministers resign from Karnali Provincial Government (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Ministers from the Nepali Congress in the Karnali Provincial Government have collectively resigned, as confirmed by Minister for Social Development Ghanshyam Bhandari and Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment Suresh Adhikari. The resignations were submitted during a Cabinet meeting, with all four Congress ministers involved, including Rajiv Bikram Shah, who submitted his resignation prior to leaving for medical treatment in Bangkok. The Karnali Provincial Government is led by CPN-UML leader Yamlal Kandel.
9. Constitution amendment taskforce submits report to PM (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The constitution amendment taskforce, coordinated by Prime Minister Balendra Shah's political advisor Ashim Shah, has submitted its report to the Prime Minister's Office after extensive consultations, including 22 meetings and discussions with 184 experts. The taskforce, formed to promote a transparent debate on constitutional amendments, received over 44,000 suggestions from the public and various organizations, organizing the feedback into 20 thematic categories.
10. Political Roots Of Nepal's Landlessness (risingnepaldaily.com)
The article discusses the historical and political factors contributing to landlessness in Nepal. It highlights how policies and governance have shaped land distribution, leading to significant disparities and social issues in rural areas. The analysis emphasizes the need for reform to address these longstanding challenges.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 154.46 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.0 |
| AUD → NPR | 108.11 |
| GBP → NPR | 208.61 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.52 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $3979.64 | NPR 230,510.45 |
| Silver | $55.19 | NPR 3,196.74 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 282,100.00 |
| Silver | NPR 4,200.00 |
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.
