KATHMANDU: The government has begun paying salaries to civil servants every 15 days, introducing the system as a pilot project from Wednesday.
The initiative was formally launched by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle at a programme held at the Ministry of Finance Nepal.
According to the ministry, the payment process has been implemented through the Computerized Government Accounting System (SIGAS), with salary entries processed by the Office of the Financial Comptroller General and payment orders sent to treasury and accounts offices.
With the rollout, employees under the Finance Ministry received their first half-month salary for Baisakh.
Speaking at the event, Minister Wagle said the move aims to boost economic activity. “Paying salaries every 15 days will help increase consumption and demand in the market,” he said, adding that the system will gradually be expanded to all government-paid employees.
Financial Comptroller General Shobhakanta Paudel said the office is technically ready to extend the system to provincial and other public sector employees in phases.
He noted that the current system allows flexibility for salary payments either biweekly or monthly, based on demand.
Officials expect the new system to create regular demand in the market, improve cash flow for small businesses, and support the growth of the digital economy.
The decision to introduce biweekly salary payments was taken earlier this month as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic activity.
Comment