KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has convened a meeting of the Governor Recommendation Committee for later this afternoon, signaling the government’s push to appoint a new Governor for Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) by as early as today.
Following the committee meeting, the government is likely to call an emergency cabinet meeting to finalize the appointment. Sources indicate that the ruling coalition is working to appoint Biswo Paudel — the candidate recommended by the Nepali Congress — as the new central bank chief.
Previously, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had assured NRB Executive Director Dr. Gunakar Bhatta of the governor post, prompting Bhatta to resign from his position. However, Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli objected to Bhatta’s nomination, causing friction between the two major coalition partners.
In response, PM Oli invited Deuba to Baluwatar on Monday evening for further discussions. Deuba, however, declined the invitation, reportedly frustrated by Oli’s repeated rejections of his proposed candidates.
Shaken by Deuba’s response, PM Oli instructed Finance Minister Paudel to proceed with the appointment in line with the Nepali Congress party’s preference, prompting the sudden scheduling of today’s committee meeting.
Nepal Rastra Bank has been without a governor since April 5. Since then, the Governor Recommendation Committee itself has faced controversy, with multiple resignations weakening its legitimacy.
Originally formed on March 24, the committee included Finance Minister Paudel, former NRB Governor Bijay Nath Bhattarai, and Nepali Congress leader Biswo Paudel. However, Bhattarai resigned on April 20, and Paudel stepped down from the committee on May 13 to enter the race for governorship himself.
In response, Paudel was replaced by economist Dr. Poshraj Pandey, while the government appointed outgoing Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari to fill Bhattarai’s vacant seat.
Today’s committee, now composed of Finance Minister Paudel, former Governor Adhikari, and economist Pandey, is expected to recommend a shortlist of three candidates for the position of NRB Governor.
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