8th April 2025, Kathmandu
Mahaprasad Adhikari, the former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), saw a significant increase in his wealth over the past five years. His assets grew by around 60 lakh rupees, as per recent disclosures.
Mahaprasad Adhikari Wealth
End of Governorship
Adhikari’s tenure as NRB Governor ended on 24th Chaitra. He was officially bid farewell in a special ceremony held at the NRB office last Friday. After his departure, the government appointed Deputy Governor Nilam Dhungel Timilsina as the Acting Governor. Meanwhile, a recommendation committee, led by Finance Minister Vishnu Prasad Paudel, is working on the selection of the new governor.
Wealth Increase During Tenure
Adhikari was appointed as the Governor in 2019. Over his five-year tenure, his wealth increased by 23.44 lakh rupees. In 2019, his total assets were valued at 3,45,91,852 rupees. By 2024, his assets had grown to 3,69,36,262 rupees, excluding the money in his dollar account.
By the end of Chaitra 2081, Adhikari held 9.88 lakh rupees in cash, gold, and silver. This was an increase from the 5.03 lakh rupees worth of assets in Chaitra 2077.
Property and Land Assets
Adhikari owns a house valued at 32 lakh rupees. He also possesses 10 ropanis of land, valued at 1,08,51,000 rupees. These properties contribute to the overall growth in his wealth during his NRB tenure.
Growth in Dollar Account
Adhikari’s dollar account saw substantial growth over the five years. By Chaitra 2081, his account contained 28,608 USD, which is roughly 32.35 lakh rupees. Back in 2066, his account only held 2,302 USD. This means his dollar account grew by 26,306 USD during his five years as NRB Governor.
Overall Wealth Increase
In total, Adhikari’s wealth increased by about 60 lakh rupees during his term. According to the asset disclosure provided by NRB, his assets grew by 59,49,384 rupees. Before becoming the NRB Governor, his wealth was estimated at 3,49,07,318 rupees. By the end of his tenure, it had reached 4,08,56,702 rupees.
Conclusion
Mahaprasad Adhikari’s wealth increase over five years has raised questions about the financial transparency of public officials. While his assets grew significantly, there is continued interest in the source and details of these increases. As the government looks for a new NRB Governor, financial transparency will likely remain a key concern for both the public and regulatory bodies.
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