Politics & Governance
President Ram Chandra Paudel has reshuffled the Council of Ministers, reallocating portfolios under amended Performance Regulations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah is now overseeing Defense, Home, and Science, while Dr. Swarnim Wagle was appointed Finance Minister, alongside other changes. The government also presented its policies and program in Parliament amid opposition protests: Council of Ministers reshuffle.
Separately, the federal government restructured its Cabinet, reducing ministries from 22 to 17 under revised Rules of Business Allocation. The changes include merging functions across portfolios, such as youth and sports into Education and Sports, and creating a combined ministry for gender equality and social development: Cabinet restructure to 17 ministries. In parallel, the House of Representatives unanimously approved the government’s policy and program for the coming fiscal year: Policy and program passed by House of Representatives.
Courts & Accountability
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority urged public officials and retired individuals to submit asset details, including those held by family members, within the specified timeframe. It warned that non-submission or false information will lead to legal action, with forms available at the commission office or via its website: Asset disclosure request to public officials. The commission’s stance is also reflected in its Pokhara Airport probe, where it claims a loss of NPR 3.5 billion: CIAA claim in Pokhara Airport case.
The government has also moved to investigate Sudhan Gurung through a newly formed committee. The decision adds to the ongoing scrutiny of his actions and conduct: Committee formed to investigate Sudhan Gurung. At the same time, a parliamentary committee meeting is scheduled, though details on agenda or participants have not been disclosed: Parliamentary committee meeting today.
Economy & Business
Nepal Investment Mega Bank has appointed Mahesh Sharma Dhakal as acting CEO after the board meeting decision on May 13. The move followed the arrest of the previous CEO, Jyotiprakash Pandey, in connection with the Smart Telecom case, with plans to appoint Dhakal as full CEO later: Mahesh Dhakal acting CEO appointment. The development comes as the broader government reshuffle and policy approval continue to set administrative direction for the economy: Council of Ministers reshuffle.
In education-related investment, the World Bank plans to assist Nepal in improving educational development, focusing on infrastructure and technology-friendly learning systems. The discussions included meeting between World Bank Country Director David Sislen and Education Minister Sasmit Pokhrel: World Bank assistance for education.
Date: May 15, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Jestha 01, 2083
Top News
1. महेश ढकालले पाए नेपाल इन्भेष्टमेन्ट मेगा बैंकको निमित्त सिइओको जिम्मेवारी, केही समयपछि फुल सिइओ दिने तयारी ! (arthasarokar.com)
Mahesh Sharma Dhakal has been appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nepal Investment Mega Bank following a decision by the board meeting on May 13. This change comes after the previous CEO, Jyotiprakash Pandey, was arrested in connection with the Smart Telecom case, and there are plans to eventually appoint Dhakal as the full CEO.
2. सार्वजनिक पदाधिकारीलाई सम्पत्ति विवरण बुझाउन आयोगको आग्रह, विवरण नबुझाए कारवाही गरिने ! (arthasarokar.com)
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has urged public officials and retired individuals to submit details of their assets, including those held by family members, both domestically and internationally. This request targets political officials, civil servants, and members of constitutional bodies from fiscal years 2062/63 to 2082/83, with a warning that failure to comply or submission of false information will result in legal action. Asset details must include sources of income and can be submitted via forms available at the commission's office or downloaded from its website.
3. प्रधानमन्त्रीलाई हर्कले भने- ‘आफ्नो बिहेमा अरूलाई बेहुला पठाएर हुँदैन, उत्तर दिन संसदमा आउनुस्’ (arthasarokar.com)
Harka Sampang, president of the Labor Culture Party, criticized Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for not attending the parliamentary discussion on the government's policy and program, stating that he must respond to questions raised by MPs. Sampang warned that his party would boycott the parliament if the Prime Minister fails to appear, emphasizing that discussions on national development require the Prime Minister's direct involvement. He also expressed concerns over the lack of clarity and adequate debate regarding the policy and program presented.
4. साढे तीन अर्ब बिगोको पोखरा विमानस्थल मुद्दामा अख्तियारको दाबी के हो ? (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) claims a loss of NPR 3.5 billion in the Pokhara Airport project. The investigation focuses on alleged irregularities and mismanagement related to the project's execution.
5. Incumbent Council of Ministers reshuffled with changes in portfolio (theannapurnaexpress.com)
President Ram Chandra Paudel has reshuffled the Council of Ministers, appointing new ministers and reallocating portfolios as per the amended Performance Regulations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah now oversees the Ministries of Defense, Home, and Science, while Dr. Swarnim Wagle has been appointed Finance Minister, among other new appointments. The total number of federal ministries has been reduced to 18, and the government's policies and programs were presented in Parliament amid opposition protests.
6. सुदन गुरुङमाथि छानबिन गर्न सरकारले बनायो समिति (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The government has formed a committee to investigate Sudhan Gurung. The decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny regarding his actions and conduct.
7. Federal government restructures Cabinet, reduces Ministries to 17 (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The federal government has restructured its Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries from 22 to 17 through the revised Rules of Business Allocation. Key changes include the dissolution of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with its functions merged into the newly named Ministry of Education and Sports, and the creation of a Ministry of Gender Equality and Social Development by integrating youth and health portfolios. The Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation will also see its sanitation functions merged into the Ministry of Health, while water supply and urban development will be combined under the renamed Ministry of Integrated Physical Infrastructure.
8. World Bank to assist Nepal in educational development (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The World Bank will assist Nepal in educational development, focusing on infrastructure improvement and a technology-friendly education system, as discussed in a meeting between Country Director David Sislen and Education Minister Sasmit Pokhrel. The Ministry aims to enhance educational infrastructure, foundation learning, and digitization as key government priorities.
9. प्रतिनिधिसभाबाट सरकारको नीति तथा कार्यक्रम पारित (newsofnepal.com)
The House of Representatives unanimously approved the Nepal government's policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year during its second meeting. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle responded to questions raised during the discussion, but opposition members, demanding Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's presence for further clarification, did not utilize the opportunity for additional questions. Despite 35 opposition members submitting amendment proposals, they were rejected by a majority vote, and the proposals were not withdrawn amid ongoing protests from the opposition.
10. Parliamentary committee meeting today (risingnepaldaily.com)
A parliamentary committee meeting is scheduled for today. Details regarding the agenda or participants have not been disclosed.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.53 |
| CAD → NPR | 111.9 |
| AUD → NPR | 111.16 |
| GBP → NPR | 207.41 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.72 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4594.59 | NPR 264,527.49 |
| Silver | $80.51 | NPR 4,635.26 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 298,500.00 |
| Silver | NPR 5,390.00 |
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.
