Most Ministers Under Balendra Shah’s Cabinet Have Yet to Submit Asset Declarations; Only Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle Has Complied—Rastriya Swatantra Party Responds to Transparency Concerns
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Before the elections, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) pledged to publicly disclose asset declarations before taking public office. However, most members of Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’’s cabinet have not fulfilled this promise so far, leading to criticism.
According to Hemraj Aryal, spokesperson of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Office, only Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle had submitted his asset declaration by Tuesday afternoon.
“The Finance Minister has submitted his details, and we have been informed by the responsible branch that the others have yet to submit theirs,” he said. “The law mandates submission within 60 days of appointment, and all will comply accordingly.”
Although the law provides this timeline, the RSP’s election manifesto explicitly pledged to “fully disclose asset details before assuming public office.” This has heightened public interest in the matter.
Point 16 of the party’s comprehensive manifesto states: “Before taking office, we will publish complete asset declarations. Before elections and after the term ends, any changes in our and our families’ assets will be audited independently and made public.”
Madan Krishna Sharma, head of Transparency International Nepal, an organization fighting corruption, says the ruling RSP seems to have deviated from its election promises.
“While it is good to disclose asset information within the legally prescribed time, if unable to do so for any reason, explanations should be provided,” he added.
RSP spokesperson Manish Jha stated the party and government would pay attention to this issue. He said, “If such questions arise, we will alert the party chairperson and the cabinet members.”
However, Jha noted that it is the government’s spokesperson, not the party, who should respond on this matter. During a cabinet press briefing on Sunday, Education Minister and government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel was reminded of the commitments in the party manifesto.
Her response was: “The cabinet will make a decision on this matter later.”
Attempts to reach government spokesperson Pokharel for further comment were unsuccessful.
Law and Practice
Spokesperson Aryal explained that ministers are legally required to submit asset declarations within 60 days, but there is no obligation to make them public.
“The asset submissions remain confidential, but the cabinet can decide to make them public,” he said.
Previous governments have also made such declarations public through cabinet decisions.
Aryal added that asset declaration falls under the Corruption Prevention Act, 2059, and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act, 2048.
Section 50 of the Corruption Prevention Act states that any individual appointed to a public institution must submit details of their own and their family’s assets, sources, and liabilities within 60 days of appointment.
Similarly, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act prescribes comparable obligations.
“There is no compulsion to make the declarations public; it remains discretionary. However, those in public office may choose transparency,” said Aryal.
Asset declarations were also not publicly disclosed during the cabinet led by Sushila Karki.
“The rule that mandates submission but not public disclosure has long existed. That government prioritized good governance, corruption control, and election concerns, so they couldn’t amend the regulations,” said former Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal from that administration.
“Everyone submitted on time; I was one of the very first to do so.”
Significance
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Sharma of Transparency International regards pre-election promises as contracts with the public.
“The pledge to be more transparent and accountable than what the law demands must be fulfilled. This is about commitment beyond legal obligations,” he emphasized.
“Failing to meet promises, refusing transparency, and prioritizing private or partisan interests led to increased corruption. The public will welcome fulfillment of transparency commitments made during elections.”
Following the Generation Z movement, RSP committed to uphold transparency in governance as part of its voter engagement during the election.
Former Minister Khanal also believes there should be no divergence between promises and practice.
“What is promised must be spoken clearly and fulfilled accordingly. Asset declarations should be made public as per the manifesto.”
However, he considers the public disclosure of asset declarations as merely “symbolic.”
“It is a good arrangement for public office holders to submit asset details, but in my view, every Nepali’s assets are effectively public. From the government’s perspective, all properly registered assets are recorded, because ownership requires registration.”
“Any hidden or undeclared assets remain undisclosed by anyone.”
“And the government can publicly release asset declarations instantly if it chooses to.”
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