KATHMANDU, April 15: The government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah has unveiled a draft of an 18-point “National Commitment” after studying the manifestos, pledges and commitments of six nationally recognized political parties represented in Parliament.
The government has invited political parties and stakeholders to provide feedback and suggestions on the draft by April 23.
According to the document, the commitment will be integrated into the annual policies, programs, budget and reform agenda of the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 and beyond, and will be implemented immediately.
The responsibility for effective implementation, monitoring and inter-agency coordination has been assigned to the Secretary overseeing the development management sector at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
In the House of Representatives election held on March 5, a total of six parties secured national recognition. A new government was formed under the leadership of Balen Shah, parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which secured 182 seats.
Following the formation of the new government, a 100-point governance reform agenda was issued on March 27. Clause No. 3 of the agenda stated that a “National Commitment” would be prepared by synthesizing implementable issues proposed by all political parties participating in the election, ensuring collective ownership by the Government of Nepal.
Based on that, this common document has been prepared incorporating the election pledges of six major parties in Parliament—RSP, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepal Communist Party, Shram Sanskriti Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
The 18-point concept paper made public by the government includes governance reform agendas covering economic stability, agriculture, tourism, energy, infrastructure, employment, education, health, good governance and foreign policy.
From strategic issues such as utilizing inland waterways in neighboring India and seaports in China to expand access to international trade, to long-term priorities like investigating the assets of public officials since 2046 BS and creating 1.5 million jobs in the next five years, the document outlines far-reaching commitments.
Economic stability and reform
The government aims to utilize Nepal’s youth-centric demographic dividend to drive economic transformation and upgrade the country to a middle-income nation.
Plans include achieving an average economic growth rate of seven percent within five years, raising per capita income to $3,000, and increasing GDP to nearly $100 billion.
Recognizing the private sector as a key driver of national prosperity, the government will provide legal assurance that tax rates and conditions will remain stable for ten years. Practices such as policy manipulation, carteling and artificial shortages will be eliminated.
Additionally, steps will be taken to remove Nepal from the “grey list” by improving financial transparency, controlling money laundering and strengthening regulatory reforms. The government has also committed to building national consensus on economic agendas through an “economic charter” among major parties.
Agricultural self-reliance
To substitute imports in agriculture, policies will be adopted to increase domestic production alongside trade agreements with India. Measures such as farmer credit cards, insurance and concessional loans will be introduced to make farming more respectable.
A contribution-based farmer pension will be launched, and subsidies will be provided only to genuine farmers based on identification cards.
Programs for utilizing barren land and land consolidation will be implemented. To address fertilizer shortages, updated demand data and a procurement calendar will be developed.
Within five years, irrigation facilities will be expanded to an additional 300,000 hectares of arable land, and community seed banks will be established to preserve indigenous seeds.
Tourism
India likely to allow Nepal to use three inland waterways
The government aims to extend tourists’ length of stay and double per-tourist spending within five years.
The year 2027 will be celebrated as “National Wellness Year,” and campaigns such as “Clean Mountains: Safe Summit” will be launched. Religious and cultural tourism circuits linking Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpur, Devghat and Muktinath will be developed.
A major reform in the aviation sector includes splitting the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into two autonomous entities—one for service provision and another for regulation. Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports will be operated at full capacity with direct international flights.
Energy
The government has set a target of producing 30,000 megawatts of electricity within the next decade. Projects such as Budhigandaki and Dudhkoshi will receive viability gap funding.
Through energy diplomacy, electricity trade with India and Bangladesh will be expanded, positioning Nepal as a “clean energy export hub” in South Asia. Green hydrogen production and exploration of strategic minerals such as rare earth elements will be prioritized.
Mines and minerals
A Mines and Minerals Authority will be established to promote legal and systematic extraction. Local communities will receive a share of profits from mineral resources.
Extraction of stone, gravel and sand will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner, while promoting both domestic use and export of mineral products.
Infrastructure development
A “unified multimodal transport system” will be developed to bring transformative change in infrastructure, linking highways, waterways and airports.
The draft clearly states that Nepal will utilize inland waterways in India and seaports in China under transit and trade agreements to facilitate international trade access.
Similarly, the Mahendra Highway will be upgraded to international highway standards within three years, and north-south corridors will be accelerated.
Government projects will be implemented in “mission mode,” with transfers of project chiefs and staff completely halted until completion. Budget allocation based on influence will be eliminated, prioritizing result-oriented projects aligned with national development goals.
Employment as the foundation of prosperity
The government has set an ambitious target of creating 1.5 million jobs within five years. Legal recognition will be given to remote work and digital employment, enabling Nepalis to work for foreign companies from within the country.
Mandatory labor participation policies will be introduced to strengthen work culture, and the labor market will be made free of exploitation. Coding education will begin at the school level, and an “earn while you learn” model will be developed, while foreign employment will be made safe and voluntary.
Education and health
Public education will undergo major reforms, making school education completely free. Universities and schools will be freed from political influence.
Teachers and professors will be barred from political affiliations, and Tribhuvan University will be developed as a national center of excellence.
In health, the government aims to allocate eight percent of the budget to the sector by 2088 BS. A “one citizen, one digital health profile” system will be implemented.
Each village will have an MDGP doctor, while free treatment will be provided to the poor, disabled and marginalized. A nationwide campaign titled “Healthy Me, Healthy Family” will be launched.
Forest, environment and climate change
Scientific systems will be adopted for the commercial development of forest resources. Drones and satellite technology will be used to control forest fires.
A powerful “Chure Conservation Authority” will be established with shared responsibility across all three tiers of government.
Efforts will include ensuring arsenic-free water in the Tarai and improving groundwater levels in Madhesh through the conservation of traditional ponds. Climate justice will be strongly advocated at international forums.
Good governance and anti-corruption
The government has adopted strict policies on governance. It has announced that assets of public officials holding office since 2046 BS will be investigated transparently and legally.
The roles of political and administrative leadership will be clearly defined by law. Whistleblower protection laws will be enacted, along with legislation on conflict of interest. Public services will be freed from political pressure.
Administrative reform and service delivery
To streamline administration, the number of federal ministries will be reduced to 17. Political affiliations among civil servants will be ended, and trade unions within government services will be abolished.
The Office of the Prime Minister will be transformed into a results-oriented center for direct monitoring of major projects.
The National Planning Commission will be restructured as a “think tank.” Within five years, 25 percent new and capable workforce will be inducted into government service. A “time card” system will be introduced, and middlemen practices will be eliminated.
Digital governance and technology
Information technology will be declared a national strategic industry, and an IT Promotion Board will be established. Within five years, Nepal aims to become a country exporting artificial intelligence and computational power.
Nepal will develop its own satellite and a sovereign large language model. The Nagarik App will be upgraded into a “super app.”
To make Nepali IT companies globally competitive, a “From Nepal to the World” campaign will be launched. Digital literacy will be made mandatory up to Grade 12.
Social justice and inclusion
Acknowledging historical injustices caused by social structure, laws and practices, the state will formally apologize for structural discrimination.
An “inclusive audit” will be conducted across all government bodies. Concrete legal measures will be taken to uplift Dalit, Madheshi, Tharu and Muslim communities, ensuring proportional representation in all state organs.
International diplomacy and foreign relations
Nepal will transition from a “buffer state” to a “vibrant bridge,” strengthening its identity as a non-aligned nation.
Under the principle of “Nepal First: Nepali First,” military alliances will be rejected. A scientific performance audit system will be introduced to evaluate diplomatic missions.
Utilizing diaspora knowledge, skills and capital
Policies will ensure continuity of citizenship, property rights and voting rights for non-resident Nepalis under the principle “once a Nepali, always a Nepali.”
An annual diaspora bond worth Rs 100 billion will be issued to attract investment. Bilateral agreements will be signed to eliminate double taxation, and special packages will be introduced for retirees returning home.
Sports
Sports will be treated as a pillar of human development and national prosperity. Incomplete stadiums will be completed on time, and political appointments in sports administration will be abolished.
Adventure sports and ultra-marathons will be promoted to position Nepal as a sports hub in South Asia. Disability-friendly sports infrastructure will be prioritized.
Disaster management
High-risk areas will be mapped and AI-based early warning systems implemented to strengthen disaster preparedness.
Settlements in flood- and landslide-prone areas will be relocated to safer, integrated locations. Disaster management will be incorporated into school and higher education curricula.
Cooperatives and microfinance
To control irregularities in cooperatives and microfinance, the non-banking financial sector will be brought under a strong supervisory framework of Nepal Rastra Bank.
Cooperatives will be integrated into digital information systems, and a unified savings protection fund will be established to safeguard depositors.
Usury and unfair financial practices will be classified as economic crimes with strict penalties. Victims will be provided free legal and psychosocial support at the local level.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers stated that the draft will be finalized after incorporating feedback and suggestions received from political parties by April 23.
