Yagya Banjade

Banjade covers government finance, banking, capital markets, and the economy for Kantipur Daily.

Latest from Yagya Banjade

8 million Demat accounts later, Nepal’s stock market is still missing the tools of a modern market

The surge in public participation has not yet been matched by a more mature market, wider instrument options, or stronger institutional foundations.

Government promises education, health tax refunds within 50 days

The Cabinet on Wednesday scrapped the 3 percent equity levy passed in the fiscal budget.

Refunds uncertain after government rolls back equity tax on education and health services

The government’s withdrawal of the three percent parity tax awaits Cabinet approval, leaving uncertainty over refunds for taxes collected since July 17.

Balendra Shah government announces rollback of 3 percent health, education fees

Prime minister says the proposed three percent levy will not be enforced, but legal questions remain as taxes approved by Parliament require formal Cabinet and legislative procedures to be amended.

Government offers Rs1 million lottery to shoppers demanding tax invoices

Consumers making purchases worth more than Rs100 can enter the scheme, with one daily winner taking home Rs133,034 and two monthly winners receiving Rs1 million each.

Tax withdrawal to be formalised through Cabinet, says finance minister

Minister Wagle says the prime minister’s announcement followed consultations, with the legal process now being prepared to suspend the proposed equity fees.

Banks have excess cash, poor Nepalis can’t borrow it

As banks sit on record liquidity, complex paperwork and collateral requirements push vulnerable borrowers towards predatory lenders

Nepal’s development spending short of even half of annual allocation

Development spending reaches only 46.79 percent of the annual budget’s allocation, with authorities citing political instability, elections and supply disruptions for delays in project implementation.

Banks sit on Rs1.56 trillion in excess liquidity as weak credit demand persists

Weak credit demand, sluggish economic activity and robust remittance-driven deposit growth leave lenders flush with funds, raising questions over the economy’s recovery.

Political reset fails to lift Nepal’s stock market

Nepse has lost over 380 points and nearly Rs600 billion in market value since Balendra Shah became prime minister.

PM looks to private sector to lift economy

Business leaders seek legal safeguards for entrepreneurs and policy reforms to revive investment. PM says honest businessmen have nothing to fear.

Seven sectors shrink in third quarter, dimming hopes of economic rebound

Sluggish agricultural output and a slump in construction materials weigh heavily on the latest economic performance indicators.

Three credit booms in three decades ended in economic downturn

Central bank study identifies lending booms in 1994-96, 2008-10 and 2020-22, each followed by slower growth, widening external deficits and tighter credit.

In 100 days, finance minister unable to give fillip to the economy, restore private sector confidence

Economists credit the government for initiating reforms, but say implementation has lagged and the economy has yet to show meaningful signs of recovery.