CPN-UML manifesto promises allowance hikes, Free internet and loan waivers as first cabinet priorities

KATHMANDU: The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has unveiled its election manifesto pledging a series of welfare-focused measures — from free internet for youth and higher social allowances to small-loan waivers — which it says will be implemented through decisions of the first Cabinet meeting after the elections.

Party chair KP Sharma Oli made public the manifesto at a ceremony in Kathmandu on Thursday. The document outlines five foundational commitments for development, 25 pillars of prosperity, and 11 immediate policy decisions to be initiated by the first meeting of a UML-led government.

First Cabinet to launch 11 priority schemes

The party says the first Cabinet meeting will set deadlines and formally approve 11 programmes covering youth employment, social protection, health incentives, education support, and labour reforms.

Among the most notable promises is a plan to provide young people aged 18–28 with 10GB of free internet data each month for one year. UML argues the scheme would help expand digital skills and participation in the online economy.

The manifesto also proposes issuing bank cards worth up to USD 10,000 per person to youth involved in IT startups and online businesses. The party says the measure would help around one million young people access services related to artificial intelligence, digital marketing, content creation, app development, and international online transactions.

Incentives for students, workers and migrants

UML has pledged interest-free education loans of up to Rs2 million for students pursuing higher studies in technical fields. It also promises to introduce minimum-paid internship opportunities across government, private business, and academia.

For migrant workers, the party proposes depositing an additional Rs5,000 annually into the bank accounts of those sending remittances home, describing it as recognition of their contribution to the national economy.

The manifesto also states that rules allowing Nepali entrepreneurs to establish companies abroad and invest in foreign firms will be further simplified.

Health, social protection and family support measures

UML says it will raise the annual allowance for Female Community Health Volunteers to Rs20,000 and bring them into a contribution-based social security system.

It also promises a Rs20,000 maternal and child nutrition allowance for every childbirth, free life insurance coverage of up to Rs500,000 for pregnant women, and a doubling of transport support for pre- and post-natal health checkups.

Loan waivers and business support

In one of the most politically sensitive proposals, UML says it will waive loans of up to Rs25,000 taken from banks and financial institutions by households officially classified as poor before mid-September 2025. These families would also be enrolled in a contribution-based social security system.

The manifesto also promises interest-free loans of up to Rs2 million for women entrepreneurs, along with free insurance coverage for both the loan and the business.

Education, labour and wage commitments

The party has pledged free sanitary pads for all schoolgirls and midday meals for students up to Grade 10.

UML also says it will raise the national minimum monthly wage to Rs25,000 while expanding the social security system to cover all workers — whether formal or informal, salaried or self-employed.

Other immediate policy commitments include defining a formal professional ranking system for teachers and strengthening recognition and welfare measures for security personnel.

Welfare-heavy agenda likely to shape debate

The manifesto signals UML’s strategy of combining social protection, youth-focused digital incentives, and income-support programmes as central elements of its election platform. Many of the proposed measures involve direct fiscal commitments, suggesting that implementation feasibility and budget impact will likely become key issues in the political and economic debate ahead of the polls.