Kathmandu, September 25
The government has announced sweeping austerity measures, including a historic ban on foreign visits funded by the state, provincial, or local levels, except in cases of absolute necessity.
The decision, made by the Council of Ministers on September 21, also restricts delegations to international conferences. If led by the Head of State or Head of Government, delegations may include up to 10 members, while other official teams will be limited to three.
In another major move, the Cabinet barred political officials at federal, provincial, and local levels from appointing advisors. Personal secretaries will only be provided to top office bearers including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, National Assembly Chair, provincial heads, and ministers. Other ministers may appoint a maximum of three staff in their personal secretariat.
The government also withdrew additional facilities for ambassadors, restricted the use of multiple vehicles by officials, and directed ministries to reallocate vehicles internally rather than purchase new ones. Procurement of luxury and unnecessary items, as well as distribution-based programs such as gas cylinders and bicycles, has been discontinued.
To cut non-productive expenses, the Cabinet suspended low-priority projects, halted allowances for regular meetings, and ordered the use of second-hand vehicles, furniture, and electronic devices. Expenditure on utilities, rent, and consulting services will also be minimised.
Furthermore, no new organisational structures duplicating existing ones will be created, and the Land Problem Settlement Commission will be dissolved. The National Investigation Department will now operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the Department of Revenue Investigation and Department of Money Laundering Investigation will be restructured under the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Finance has instructed all ministries and local bodies to strictly implement the directives, emphasising fiscal discipline, accountability, and economic revival.
—RSS
