Govt unveils 18-point national commitment draft integrating six party manifestos to drive Nepal’s policy

KATHMANDU: The government has formally released a comprehensive draft of an 18-point “National Commitment” framework, consolidating key policy promises from six major political parties represented in Parliament, marking a significant attempt to institutionalize electoral mandates into a unified national development agenda.

Published on the official website of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on the occasion of Nepali New Year 2083 BS, the draft reflects one of the central pillars of Prime Minister Balen Shah-led government’s 100-day governance roadmap. Specifically, it operationalizes Point 3 of the reform agenda, which mandates synthesizing actionable elements from party manifestos into a shared national commitment owned collectively by the state.

Political parties have been given a deadline until Baisakh 10 (late April 2026) to submit feedback and suggestions on the draft, signaling a consultative approach before final adoption.

Institutionalizing Electoral Mandates

The concept of a unified national commitment emerges from a broader political context shaped by Nepal’s evolving democratic trajectory and recent electoral outcomes. According to the document, the framework is grounded in the core spirit of the Constitution of Nepal, democratic values, and the need to translate voter mandates into institutional execution.

The draft explicitly references the post-election environment following the February 2026 parliamentary elections (Falgun 21, 2082 BS), which resulted in six nationally recognized political parties and a majority government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah. The government argues that fragmented manifesto commitments in past electoral cycles often failed to translate into coherent policy implementation, necessitating a synthesis mechanism.

By aligning party pledges with state policy instruments, the government aims to bridge the gap between political promises and execution, embedding them into annual policies, budgets, and reform programs starting from the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84.

Economic Transformation at the Core

A dominant portion of the national commitment framework focuses on economic restructuring, signaling an ambitious push toward transforming Nepal into a middle-income country.

Key targets include achieving an average annual economic growth rate of 7 percent over the next five years, increasing per capita income to $3,000, and expanding the national economy to nearly $100 billion. The framework emphasizes private sector-led growth, with the state positioned as a regulator and facilitator.

Policy measures outlined include ensuring stability in tax rates for up to a decade, simplifying business processes through fully digital systems, and eliminating rent-seeking behavior, cartels, and artificial market distortions. The document also prioritizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitive markets as drivers of industrial growth.

In parallel, the government plans to formalize the informal economy gradually, expand employment opportunities, and promote equitable income distribution through progressive taxation and targeted social policies.

Agriculture, Tourism, and Energy as Growth Engines

The draft identifies agriculture, tourism, and energy as strategic sectors for economic expansion.

In agriculture, the government proposes policies aimed at import substitution, land consolidation, irrigation expansion, and farmer support systems such as credit cards, insurance, and pensions. A five-year plan to expand irrigation coverage by an additional 300,000 hectares is also highlighted.

Tourism policy focuses on doubling per capita tourist spending within five years by promoting diversified tourism ecosystems, including religious, cultural, ecological, and wellness tourism. Infrastructure development in key destinations such as Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpur, and Muktinath is prioritized.

In the energy sector, the government has set an ambitious target of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity within the next decade. This includes investment in large reservoir-based hydropower projects, transmission infrastructure, and cross-border energy trade with India and Bangladesh. The framework also introduces green hydrogen and renewable energy innovation as future priorities.

Governance Reform and Anti-Corruption Measures

A major pillar of the national commitment is governance reform, with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and institutional strengthening.

The document proposes legal frameworks to investigate assets of public officials since 1990, protection laws for whistleblowers, and stricter regulations to eliminate conflicts of interest. It also calls for depoliticizing the civil service, abolishing political trade unions within government institutions, and introducing merit-based recruitment and evaluation systems.

Public service delivery reforms include the elimination of bureaucratic delays, digitization of administrative processes, and implementation of time-bound service guarantees. A performance-based evaluation system for government offices is also planned.

Digital Economy and Employment Expansion

The framework places significant emphasis on building a digital economy as a central driver of growth and employment.

Policies include developing IT infrastructure, data centers, cloud services, and cybersecurity systems, alongside promoting Nepal as a global outsourcing destination. The government aims to create 1.5 million jobs within five years, particularly in sectors such as information technology, construction, tourism, and modern agriculture.

Education reforms are aligned with this vision, incorporating coding, artificial intelligence, and digital skills into school curricula, while promoting “earn while you learn” models in higher education.

Social Inclusion and Human Development

The draft also outlines commitments toward social justice, inclusion, and human development. It acknowledges historical inequalities faced by marginalized communities and proposes structural reforms to ensure equitable representation and access to opportunities.

Measures include inclusive audits of public institutions, targeted support for Dalits, Madhesis, Muslims, and indigenous communities, and policies ensuring equal wages and participation for women.

In education and health, the government commits to expanding access, improving quality, and increasing investment. Plans include making school education gradually free and compulsory, restructuring universities, and strengthening healthcare systems with digital health profiles and expanded insurance coverage.

Foreign Policy and Diaspora Engagement

On foreign policy, the framework emphasizes a balanced and dynamic diplomatic approach, positioning Nepal as a “vibrant bridge” between regional powers rather than a passive buffer state.

Economic diplomacy, climate advocacy, and protection of migrant workers’ rights are highlighted as priorities. The government also aims to mobilize the Nepali diaspora by ensuring dual citizenship continuity, issuing diaspora bonds, and facilitating investment in infrastructure and industry.

Implementation and Oversight Mechanism

To ensure effective implementation, the government has assigned monitoring responsibility to the Secretary overseeing development management at the Prime Minister’s Office. Ministries and agencies will be required to integrate the commitments into their annual plans and budgets.

The success of the initiative will depend on inter-agency coordination, political consensus, and the ability to translate broad commitments into measurable outcomes.

As Nepal enters a new fiscal and political cycle, the national commitment framework represents an ambitious attempt to align governance with electoral accountability, potentially setting a precedent for policy continuity and long-term development planning.