Kathmandu. As it leaves office, the government led by Sushila Karki has failed to make public its asset declarations as mandated by law, drawing criticism from citizens.
Members of the public have remarked: “Thank you for conducting the elections! But we did not appreciate the contradiction between preaching good governance and practising opacity.”
The government, which was formed on the strength of a Gen-Z-led movement protesting the lack of good governance and failure to curb corruption, is now stepping down. It is handing over responsibilities to a new administration to be formed on the basis of a fresh electoral mandate.
However, despite coming to power on the promise of good governance, the Karki-led administration has been accused of neglecting one of its core pillars—transparency.
Good governance is generally understood to rest on three key principles: transparency, accountability, and responsibility. Transparency includes public access to information, financial openness, disclosure of assets, and openness in decision-making processes.
Contrary to these principles, neither Prime Minister Karki nor any members of her cabinet, formed on 29 Bhadra 2082 (Nepali calendar), disclosed their asset details, nor did they deem it necessary to do so.
Nepali laws clearly require public office holders to submit asset declarations. Section 50(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002 mandates that individuals holding public office must disclose their own and their family’s assets. Similarly, Section 31(A) of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act, 1991 requires such disclosures.
The law stipulates that asset details must be submitted within 60 days of assuming public office, and thereafter updated annually within 60 days of the end of each fiscal year. These declarations must include both movable and immovable assets, along with their sources.
The failure of the Prime Minister and ministers—who came to power on the back of a movement demanding good governance—to disclose their assets has triggered criticism among citizens.
Such concerns have been widely expressed on social media platforms. Some commentators have even invoked the proverb, “Those without horns are called sharp,” suggesting a gap between rhetoric and reality.
Following the movement, elections were conducted, and individuals associated with the protests have now been elected to the House of Representatives. Some of them may even assume ministerial positions in the next government.
Whether the incoming administration will truly uphold the principles of good governance remains to be seen.
Khabarbajar । 2026-03-27