Wealth, professionalism and political responsibility in Bikram Sambat 2082

The recent unveiling of Nepal's new cabinet has ignited a firestorm, primarily on social media, concerning the considerable wealth accumulated by its ministers. This has led to public questioning and insinuations about the legitimacy of their fortunes, a sentiment understandable given Nepal's historical idealization of austere politicians.

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Having long been socialized to view politicians as folks who do nothing but politick their whole life, we idealise leaders like the late Bhim Bahadur Tamang, who, as reported, lived in a small room at the end of his life with nothing ‘beyond bare necessities’.

However, The Kathmandu Post suggests a shift in perspective is warranted. Unlike past generations of politicians perceived to live frugally, the current cabinet comprises professionals with established careers. Their disclosed wealth, while substantial, should be viewed not with immediate suspicion of wrongdoing, but as a testament to the possibility of achieving financial success, even within Nepal. The emergence of new income streams, such as social media influence and stock market investments, reflects a changing economic landscape.

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For the first time, we have a Cabinet full of not career politicians but professionals with careers backing them.

While acknowledging the public's right to question, the article commends the government for its public disclosure of assets, a step beyond previous administrations. It proposes strengthening the Prevention of Corruption Act to include mandatory asset disclosure not only upon entering but also upon leaving public office. This 'before and after' snapshot is crucial for rebuilding national trust and ensuring public officials remain true to their oath of service, moving beyond outdated notions of political asceticism towards a more modern, professional standard.

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It was quite unfair to target the ministers for being well to do. Unless one can prove criminality on their part, the fact that the government decided to publicly disclose everything is to be appreciated.