PM Balen Shah has no land, lists social media followers as main income source
KATHMANDU: Just 17 days after the Nepal government led by Balen Shah came into power, cabinet members publicly revealed their assets, and the disclosures read like a dramatic mix of riches, family inheritances, and surprisingly ordinary possessions.
From crores worth of property to chickens and scooters, the list paints a fascinating portrait of Nepal’s political class: some incredibly wealthy, some middle-class, and some proudly declaring even their smallest belongings.
The move also fulfills an election promise made earlier that public office holders would make their assets public before taking charge. The government’s 100-point agenda even includes investigating assets of those who held public positions after 1990.
And what stands out most? Assets are no longer just land, gold, and money, even social media followers are now counted.
Prime Minister Balen Shah surprised many with a declaration that looked very different from traditional political wealth statements. He revealed that he personally does not own any house or land. However, his parents do own properties in different districts.
His bank balance stands at Rs 1 crore 46 lakh, and interestingly, he listed social media as the main source of income. He also disclosed follower counts (40 lakh on Facebook, 12 lakh on YouTube, and 5 lakh on X).
While the Prime Minister himself does not hold gold in his name, his wife Sabina Kafle reportedly owns 190 tola of jewellery, including gold, silver, and diamonds. The source of this jewellery was described as ancestral.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung disclosed one of the most striking portfolios. He owns 89 tola of gold and land measuring 19 ropani 15 ana in Dhankuta. But the bigger surprise was his stock market investments: more than Rs 4.31 crore.
His investments include shares in different listed securities worth Rs 2.74 crore. He also holds 70,000 shares in Adventure Villa Pvt. Ltd., valued at Rs 70 lakh.
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle declared four houses and apartments. His properties include residences in Lalitpur, Kavrepalanchok, and Tanahun, valued in crores. He also reported a bank balance of Rs 1 crore 90 lakh and 45 tola of gold.
His share investments span hydropower companies, development banks, and funds. He also owns a vehicle worth Rs 94 lakh. Interestingly, he also disclosed loans, Rs 1.05 crore from a bank and Rs 2.5 crore personal loan.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal listed modest personal assets but significant family property under his father’s name, including land in Kathmandu, Tanahun, and Nepalgunj. He reported 22 tola of gold and Rs 13 lakh bank balance.
Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha declared 15 tola gold and 50 tola silver, some received through dowry and ancestral inheritance. He also holds over Rs 64 lakh in bank deposits and investments in shares.
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel has family assets worth over Rs 20 crore spread across multiple locations.
Not all ministers reported crores. Some declarations reflected middle-class financial lives.
Law Minister Sobita Gautam listed two houses under family members’ names and a bank balance of around Rs 10.5 lakh. She also disclosed loans taken for purchasing vehicles, including Rs 20 lakh from Rastriya Banijya Bank and Rs 25 lakh from Everest Bank.
She reported owning 15 tola gold, 9 tola silver, and 1 tola diamond. The sources included salary and loans.
Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal declared Rs 90 lakh in bank balance, 30 tola gold, 50 tola silver. His family also owns land in multiple districts.
Federal Affairs Minister Pratibha Rawal listed land in Budhanilkantha and Bara, gold worth 25 tola, savings of over Rs 24 lakh. She also disclosed Rs 20 lakh loan and vehicle worth Rs 44 lakh.
Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary declared modest portfolio: 5 tola gold, 100 tola silver, Rs 1.26 lakh in bank accounts. She also disclosed watch worth Rs 50,000, laptop, and phone.
Some declarations caught public attention for their simplicity and honesty.
Women, Children and Senior Citizens Minister Sita Badi listed 20 chickens and one dog. She also declared a scooter, three laptops, two mobile phones, and Rs 50,000 cash.
Her bank savings with her husband totalled Rs 15 lakh. She also owns 18 tola gold and 15 tola silver received during marriage. She also disclosed land in Surkhet.
Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary listed two goats and ten chickens received from her family.
Agencies