There are 373 people including 72 in commercial banks, 130 in development banks and 171 in C category banks.

In Nepal, some banks have failed, some banks have succeeded. Now the banking sector has grown. The foreign exchange reserves that we have have have also grown.

As before, the money in our total bank in 1960s is very different from today. Foreign exchange has also increased in Nepal. Earlier, we used to have 100 billion, but now it has reached 24,25 billion.

There is now talk of institutional discipline. He said that some of the policies adopted by the Rastra Bank have also changed from time to time and the private sector is facing difficulties. At one time, the Rastra Bank gave the license. Later, he asked to go for a merger. You also increased the bank’s capital.

Apart from this, there is also talk that the founder shares have now become capit in a way. It is also being said that it is difficult to sell. As a result, there is also the issue of whether investors are able to invest or not. Now another fundamental question is that many licenses have a lifespan, but the bank does not have an age in a sense. There is also the question of whether the bank’s license is public goods or not. For example, hydropower licenses are 30 years old. The project will come back in 30 years.

There also needs to be competition in the bank’s license. It is our responsibility to protect people’s property. That is also the case in our Constitution. No one can be told to sell this property now. We also have to protect our property. It is coming together with many challenges. Along with protecting someone’s property, there is also talk of advancing it as a disciplined banking.

At present, we have a capital of Rs 7 trillion in our banks. How to define it? What is the money in the bank? What is the right to take a loan from a bank? I always feel that if you have a good project, then you have a natural right to take a loan. You have the right to stay in the sun and drink water. If I go and drink water, no one will stop me.

If you drink water, no one will stop you. If you have a good idea, you will get money. But this bank’s money is public property. It is my right to take Rs 1 00,000 or Rs 200,000 or Rs 15 lakh.

There is also talk of his project. We should also look at the rights over loans.

If there are people with good business ideas, then there is a certain right to take a loan. Because it’s public goods. We have to keep all these things and move forward. There are also challenges in banking. Now there is talk of digital currencies. There is also talk of the private sector issuing currencies. In that case, we have to look at our international commitment.

(Excerpts from the speech made by Governor Biswanath Poudel at the meeting of the Finance Committee on the bill to amend the Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 2073 (BAFIA))