KATHMANDU: Nepal News presents today’s snapshot of Nepal’s economic activities. Get quick updates on major market movements, policy shifts, and financial developments shaping the economy of Nepal. Here are the key economic highlights for today:

NRB Caps CEO Pay, Links Part of Salary to Performance

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a new directive capping salaries, allowances, and perks of bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to strengthen transparency and corporate governance in the banking sector. Under the new framework, banks must form an independent committee to determine executive remuneration, which will be limited based on a percentage of either institutional assets or total employee expenses, whichever is lower. Up to 20 percent of CEO pay can be linked to performance indicators such as net profit, return on assets, and non-performing loan management. The directive also restricts perks to one vehicle, one phone, and one laptop.

NEPSE Posts 4th Straight Weekly Loss Despite Late Rebound

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) ended a subdued trading week with a modest recovery on June 19, but not enough to offset earlier losses as the benchmark index slipped 21.91 points over the five trading sessions to close at 2,702.11. The market came under pressure at the start of the week, falling 12.26 points on June 15 and another 6.31 points on June 16. A marginal gain of 0.08 points on June 17 offered little relief before NEPSE dropped a further 5.06 points on June 18, pushing the index to a weekly low of 2,700.47. The benchmark edged up 1.63 points on June 19, supported by improved trading activity. Weekly turnover fluctuated throughout the period, declining from Rs 4.41 billion at the beginning of the week to Rs 3.41 billion on June 18 before rebounding to Rs 4.53 billion on the final trading day. Market sentiment remained weak for most of the week, with declining stocks consistently outnumbering gainers and most sectoral indices closing lower. The Sensitive Index also lost ground during the period, falling from 466.13 points on June 15 to 463.98 at the week’s close.

Labor Department Orders Mandatory Welfare Monitoring of Foreign Workers

The Department of Foreign Employment issued a binding directive compelling all licensed manpower agencies to immediately monitor the operational status and safety of Nepali workers deployed abroad. The regulatory measure was enforced following instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office to address persistent grievances regarding contract breaches, non-payment of stipulated salaries, unsafe housing, and forced labor conditions. Under the new protocol, recruitment agencies must conduct regular oversight based on specific departure lot numbers. Manpower firms are required to maintain direct monthly contact with five to 10 workers from each deployed group to collect verifiable data regarding employment terms and living environments.

Energy Minister Shrestha Inspects 69-Megawatt Powerhouse

Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha conducted an official technical assessment of the Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project powerhouse facility today. Shrestha inspected the core electrical architecture, civil engineering structures, and equipment arrays to review current power output safety. During the site tour, the minister emphasized that operating hydro plants are vital to maintaining national energy security and urged technical teams to maximize infrastructure production capacities. Plant managers briefed the minister on operational safety metrics at the facility, which continuously supplies 69 megawatts of clean electricity to the national grid transmission line.

Madhesh Accumulates Rs 30 Million Revenue Despite Economic Fluctuations

The Ministry of Finance of Madhesh Province collected Rs 30.171 billion in total internal revenue and federal transfers over the past 11 months. Direct internal tax streams generated Rs 4.593 billion, led by vehicle registration collections at Rs 2.015 billion and land registry deeds at Rs 1.181 billion. Federal revenue sharing provided Rs 7.756 billion in value-added taxes, alongside Rs 7.061 billion in fiscal equalization grants.

Traffic Fines Generate over Rs 126 Million Revenue in Gandaki

The Nepal Police Highway Security and Traffic Management Office in Pokhara collected Rs 126.9 million from traffic penalties over the past 11 months. Law enforcement records compiled up to June 14 log 141,630 traffic citations across 11 provincial districts. Passenger overcrowding violations topped the enforcement list with 18,827 penalized vehicles, generating Rs 16.4 million. Additionally, officers booked 11,969 motorists for driving under the influence, yielding more than Rs 6.5 million, and penalized 7,023 overloaded cargo trucks, collecting more than Rs 9.4 million.

Traffic Safety Campaign Penalizes 2K Drivers in Capital

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office prosecuted 2,458 motorists for tracking transit safety violations over a 24-hour period, securing more than Rs 1.9 million for the state treasury. Law enforcement units penalized 155 drivers for driving under the influence, 87 for running illegal ride-sharing operations, 124 for ignoring signal lights, and 157 for speeding. Furthermore, traffic patrols cited 80 drivers for lane discipline infractions, 108 for sounding horns in silent zones, 98 for illegal sidewalk parking, and 22 for operating unverified, mechanically unfit vehicles. The intensive safety sweep targeted rising road accidents.

Govt. to Deploy Free Blue Bus Service for Female Commuters

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport initiated technical preparations to launch dedicated “Blue Bus” transit networks across all seven provinces to ensure secure commuting for women. Part of the state’s 100-day governance platform, the introductory phase aims to deploy 25 transit buses. The rollout earmarks 7 specialized buses for the Kathmandu Valley via partnership structures with Sajha Yatayat, alongside 18 vehicles distributed to regional transport syndicates. To combat gender-based violence, transit agencies equipped 111 Sajha buses, 46 Mahanagar buses, and three Panchpokhari Sunolo buses with functional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and dual dashcams.

Industrial Management Collects Rs 40 Million Arrears After Disconnections

Industrial Districts Management recovered Rs 40 million in outstanding financial dues after launching aggressive grid disconnections within the Hetauda Industrial Area. Utility teams disconnected electrical lines to 60 manufacturing plants that failed to settle long-standing land lease bills. The targeted enforcement forced defaulting business operators to clear their debts to restore factory operations. Administrative records show 131 large and small manufacturing units accumulated Rs 130 million in total lease arrears. While utility disconnections paused over the weekend, official enforcement teams confirmed grid shutdowns will resume on Monday to target remaining defaulters.

Customs Suspends 13 Officials in EV Clearance Probe

The Department of Customs has suspended 13 officials at the Rasuwa Customs Office over alleged irregularities in the clearance of electric vehicles (EVs) and initiated disciplinary action. The department said the suspension follows findings of procedural lapses during customs inspection and clearance. It has also recommended legal action against several EV importers, including Laxmi E-Mobility, Cimex Inc., CG Motors, Puja International Nepal, and Puja Construction Nepal, along with multiple customs agents. Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged violations and possible legal breaches under customs laws.

Employment Fairs Secure Jobs for 285 Youths in Jhapa District

Consecutive employment fairs organized by the Arjundhara Municipality and Birtamode Municipality successfully placed 285 unemployed youths into immediate corporate roles. The three-day event in Arjundhara, held from June 17 to June 19, secured direct employment for 121 individuals across diverse hospitality, security, and retail operations. The initiative provided technical skill training to 250 beauticians, 300 electricians, and 125 computer technicians. Concurrently, the earlier two-day Birtamode Employment Fair processed 1,076 formal applications, enabling 164 candidates to sign immediate employment contracts with localized industrial and private enterprises.

Tanahu Hydroelectric Project Advances 7 Corporate Social Responsibility Schemes

The 140-megawatt capacity Tanahu Hydroelectric Project managed the ongoing development of seven corporate social responsibility infrastructure programs within its primary impact zones. Local project administrators finalized two public welfare schemes in April 2026, completing drainage systems for the Kilchowk branch road in Myagde Rural Municipality-3 and water supply grid overhauls in Rishing Rural Municipality-1. These additions raised the total number of finalized community livelihood programs to 96. Active construction continues for a motorable bridge over the Phedikhola in Bhimad Municipality-5, building extensions at Dipak Secondary School, and targeted retaining walls to stabilize community facilities.

Gold Posts Record High and Biggest Daily Fall in the Same Week

Gold prices witnessed a dramatic week in the domestic market, soaring to a record Rs 298,500 per tola (11.66 grams) before suffering their steepest single-day decline of the week, falling Rs 10,500 to close at Rs 286,700 on Friday, June 19, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The precious metal began the period at Rs 293,200 per tola on June 14 and surged Rs 5,000 in a single session on June 15, reaching a then-record Rs 298,200. Gold extended its gains to an all-time high of Rs 298,500 on June 16 before reversing course. Prices declined by Rs 1,200 on June 17 and Rs 100 on June 18, before Friday’s sharp correction erased much of the week’s earlier gains. Overall, gold ended the period Rs 6,500 lower than where it began. Silver followed a similar path. After rising from Rs 4,895 per tola on June 14 to Rs 5,015 on June 15, the metal gradually retreated and closed at Rs 4,640 per tola on June 19, posting a net weekly loss of Rs 255.