Govt treats all banks equally, says FinMin

Kathmandu, March 13

Lawmakers today have asked the government to make each and every transaction of  government money, including their own salaries from state-owned banks.

Speaking during the question-answer session of the House of Representatives with Finance Minister Yub Raj Khatiwada, lawmakers Binda Pandey, Prem Suwal, Sujita Shakya and Bhim Rawal requested the government to use a state-owned bank while working with government transactions all over the country.

Lawmakers said those banks that have been running in Nepal through joint-venture with foreign banks were not secure to transact with. They also demanded privacy of their personal details.

Replying to lawmakers, Minister Khatiwada gave an example of banking rules and law in Nepal and said banks that have been registered in the country were following state laws.

“The government couldn’t act differently with state-owned bank and other banks,” Minister Khatiwada said, adding that the data of no Nepali citizen would go out of the country.

“Only Nepal Rastra Bank and the court could see the data of uses if required, otherwise they would be save,” he said.

Khatiwada also mentioned that people could use any bank they liked, but the government would behave the same way with all the banks in the country.

Moreover, during the meeting, the House of Representatives passed the Public-Private Cooperation and Investment Bill. The government proposed a Bill related to Safe and Peaceful use of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials for thematic discussion and passed it for a 72-hour amendment time duration.