Today’s developments center on governance and accountability pressures alongside investigations into recent deaths and broader economic and weather updates.
Politics & Governance
President Ramchandra Paudel certified four bills, including the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Bill and the Prevention of Money Laundering (Third Amendment) Bill. Separately, Rajendra Mahato said the government’s first 100 days showed a “smell of tyranny,” urging correction before public patience runs out. Mahato also reiterated calls for stronger federalism and implementation of prior agreements, as reported by Rajendra Mahato’s remarks on government performance.
The self-immolation of Ganesh Nepali has intensified political and public pressure, with Lawmakers demanding fair probe into Ganesh Nepali’s death being a central focus during parliamentary discussions. Authorities reported ongoing talks between the government and Nepali’s family, but agreement on proceeding with the post-mortem was not reached, according to the ongoing family-government discussions preventing post-mortem. In parallel, a meter-interest “walking justice” march continued toward Kathmandu, moving from Lalbandi to Kathmandu in the protest.
Courts & Accountability
The Kathmandu District Court has found former officials guilty in the Bhutanese refugee scam, including Former DPM Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and ex-Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand. The court convicted 23 people for fraud and organized crime tied to verification of non-Bhutanese individuals for settlement abroad, with sentencing set for July 13. The same brief noted that seven defendants, including sons of Rayamajhi and Khand, were acquitted in the case.
Accountability demands related to Ganesh Nepali’s death have also expanded beyond the family-government dispute, with news coverage describing widespread pressure on the government after self-immolation and parliamentary calls for an impartial probe. A DIG-led investigation committee has been formed to examine circumstances around the incident, as reported in the report on ongoing discussions and investigative steps. In response to nationwide outrage, lawmakers and rights advocates pressed for reforms in how citizens—especially vulnerable groups—are treated during law enforcement, linked to the earlier reporting on the driver’s death following a self-immolation over a traffic fine.
Economy & Business
Nepal Rastra Bank announced a cautiously flexible Monetary Policy for FY 2026/27 targeting 7% growth and 5.5% inflation while keeping liquidity and foreign exchange reserves adequate. The policy maintains key instruments such as interest rates and cash reserve ratios, while encouraging banks to expand credit by 11% through additional lending of over Rs 652 billion, per the same brief. It also included measures to manage distressed industries and to reform personal guarantees, along with provisions for peer-to-peer lending based on individual credit scores.
Separately, the ongoing public debate over state empathy and enforcement practices is likely to feed into broader discussions on social and economic pressures, highlighted by reporting on the self-immolation after a traffic fine dispute. The calls for structural reforms tied to these incidents reflect concerns that compliance enforcement may worsen hardship for low-income residents, as referenced alongside the continuing scrutiny of government response after self-immolation incidents.
Date: July 12, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Asar 28, 2083
Top News
1. गणेश नेपालीको परिवार र सरकारबिच दुई दिनदेखि लगातार छलफल, सहमति नजुट्दा हुन सकेन पोस्टमार्टम (www.ratopati.com)
The government is in ongoing discussions with the family of Ganesh Nepali, who died after a self-immolation attempt in Tripureshwar, preventing the post-mortem from proceeding at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced job opportunities for the family and free education for their children. An investigation committee led by DIG Govinda Thapaliya has been formed to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
2. TRAGEDY IN KATHMANDU: Ride-Sharing Driver Succumbs to Injuries After Self-Immolation Over Traffic Fine (theannapurnaexpress.com)
A 25-year-old ride-sharing driver, Ganesh Nepali, died from injuries sustained during a self-immolation protest over a traffic fine in Kathmandu, igniting nationwide outrage regarding state empathy and economic hardship. Nepali set himself on fire outside the Department of Passports after a confrontation with police over a parking violation, leading to public protests and political turmoil as lawmakers criticized the government's treatment of informal workers. Calls for an impartial investigation and structural reforms have intensified following this tragic incident.
3. Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Ex-DPM Rayamajhi and Ex-Home Minister Khand termed guilty (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, and former Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey have been found guilty in the Bhutanese refugee scam by the Kathmandu District Court, along with 20 others. A total of 23 individuals were convicted for fraud and organized crime related to falsely verifying non-Bhutanese individuals as refugees for settlement abroad. Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, with seven defendants, including the sons of Rayamajhi and Khand, acquitted.
4. Monsoon update: significant to extreme rainfall anticipated in specific hilly and lowland regions (risingnepaldaily.com)
Significant to extreme rainfall is expected in various hilly and lowland regions of Nepal due to the ongoing monsoon. Authorities are advising residents to prepare for potential flooding and landslides in affected areas.
5. लालबन्दीबाट काठमाडौंतर्फ अघि बढ्यो मिटरब्याजविरुद्धको पैदल न्याय मार्च [फोटो फिचर] (nepalnews.com)
The meter interest rate protest march, which began on Ashar 25 from Janakpur, has progressed to Lalbandi on its fourth day. Organizers state that the march, aimed at establishing rights and raising awareness, will continue until it reaches Kathmandu, with participants carrying placards demanding justice. Despite the government agreeing to four commitments, the lack of implementation has prompted the marchers to exert pressure for their rights, with plans to reach the capital within a week.
6. Lawmakers demand fair probe into Ganesh Nepali’s death (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Lawmakers are calling for an impartial investigation into the self-immolation of Ganesh Nepali, who died after setting himself on fire in Kathmandu on July 9. During a House of Representatives meeting, various lawmakers criticized the government's inaction regarding Nepali's situation and demanded compensation for his family, highlighting the pressures faced by landless squatters. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the government's responsibility towards vulnerable citizens.
7. Monetary policy: Continuation of cautiously flexible stance (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has announced a cautiously flexible Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year 2026/27, aiming for 7% economic growth and 5.5% inflation while maintaining sufficient liquidity and foreign exchange reserves. Key monetary instruments, including interest rates and cash reserve ratios, will remain unchanged, and banks are encouraged to expand credit by 11%, requiring over Rs 652 billion in new lending. The policy also introduces measures to manage distressed industries, reform personal guarantees, and allow peer-to-peer lending based on individual credit scores.
8. सरकारबारे राजेन्द्र महतो : १०० दिनमै ‘निरङ्कुशताको गन्ध’ आयो (www.ratopati.com)
Rajendra Mahato, president of the National Liberation Party of Nepal, expressed dissatisfaction with the government's performance in its first 100 days, warning that it must correct its approach before public patience runs out. He accused the government of perpetuating authoritarian thinking, neglecting marginalized communities, and promoting intermediary capitalism through its budget, while calling for unity among democratic and identity-based forces to address historical demands from various groups. Mahato emphasized the need to strengthen federalism, citing the sacrifices made for it, and reiterated demands for state restructuring, equitable revenue distribution, and the implementation of previous agreements.
9. आत्मदाहपछि सरकारमाथि चौतर्फी दबाब (newsofnepal.com)
Two self-immolation incidents in Nepal have sparked widespread criticism of the government's traffic fine policy and its treatment of citizens. Following the deaths of Ganesh Nepali and Abishan Raut, the Home Ministry has formed an investigation committee and begun inquiries into the actions of city police, while critics argue that the harsh fines disproportionately affect economically vulnerable citizens. The government has stated that the tragic events should not be solely attributed to traffic policies, and discussions continue regarding the need for a more sensitive approach to governance and law enforcement.
10. President certifies four bills (english.onlinekhabar.com)
President Ramchandra Paudel has certified four bills: the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Bill, the Prevention of Money Laundering (Third Amendment) Bill, the Cooperatives (First Amendment) Bill, and the Bill to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Institutes of Health Science. These bills were passed by the Federal Parliament and forwarded to the President's office on the same day.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.83 |
| CAD → NPR | 107.86 |
| AUD → NPR | 106.17 |
| GBP → NPR | 204.95 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.45 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4119.67 | NPR 236,103.18 |
| Silver | $59.91 | NPR 3,433.51 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 288,000.00 |
| Silver | NPR 4,475.00 |
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.
