Hollow Pledges of Austerity
Summary
The Nepalese government’s frequent costly foreign trips and luxury spending undermine austerity pledges, worsening public debt and betraying public trust.
Key Points
- The Nepalese government’s austerity pledges are contradicted by frequent, costly foreign junkets and oversized delegations.
- In FY 2024/25, Nepal’s public debt rose to Rs 2.669 trillion, with Rs 362.59 billion spent on loan servicing.
- Over 60% of the current budget is for recurrent expenditure, leaving less than a quarter for development projects.
- Government officials treat foreign trips as personal privileges, worsening the country’s financial strain and undermining public trust.
