Nepal's Cabinet Ministers Disclose Assets, Revealing Significant Stock Market Investments

Kathmandu. The asset details of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers, made public by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Sunday, have become a subject of widespread discussion. The disclosures cover everything from gold and silver holdings to social media presence.

A significant portion of the ministers' investments is held in companies listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE). Portfolios ranging from the Finance Minister to the Agriculture Minister show a clear preference for hydropower, banking, financial institutions, and microfinance shares.

According to the public records, while some ministers hold investments worth millions, others appear to have no exposure to the stock market.

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav emerged as one of the largest investors in the stock market.

Her public disclosure shows the highest investment, totaling 33,835,908 rupees across various companies.

Similarly, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung is the second-largest investor, with shares valued at 27,456,200 rupees. He stated that the source of these funds includes ancestral property, business earnings, and other investments.

Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Birajbhakta Shrestha holds 20,978 shares across various companies, with a current market value of 14,548,420 rupees.

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has multi-million rupee investments in five different companies, including Sanima Middle Tamor, Shangrila Development Bank, National Fund Management, Thulo Khola Hydropower, and Upper Madi Hydropower.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal holds shares in Pick and Drop (33%), Rigpa International (100%), and Taja Agro (16%), along with investments in BPW Laghubitta, Global IME, and Nabil Bank. His wife, Achyuta Adhikari, holds shares in 15 companies, including Chandragiri Hills, Muktinath Development Bank, Nepal Bank, and Nabil SIP.

Tourism Minister Khadakraj Paudel holds 652 shares in Bhagawati Hydropower and 10,000 shares in SSIS.

Agriculture Minister Gita Chaudhary has investments worth 250,000 rupees, while Minister of General Administration Pratibha Rawal holds shares worth 100,000 rupees. Health Minister Nisha Mehta also holds over 200 shares in various companies.

The asset disclosures indicate that the majority of ministerial investments are concentrated in the hydropower and banking sectors.

Prime Minister and 6 Ministers Have No Stock Investments

According to the public asset details, Prime Minister Balen Shah has no investments in the stock market. Along with him, seven other cabinet members also reported zero stock market investments, including Law Minister Sobita Gautam, Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Sita Badi, Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel, Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina, Labor Minister Ramji Yadav, and Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal.