The Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank has disclosed assets worth over Rs. 17 crore. From shares to gold, what exactly does he own? Read more to find out!

What Does the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Actually Own?

It’s a question you might not ask every day, but maybe you should. After all, we’re talking about the person who quite literally controls the levers of Nepal’s economy.

Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, the current Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Bishwo Nath Poudel, recently made his property declaration public And the details? They’re more revealing than you’d expect.

We’re used to hearing about interest rates, monetary policies, and circulars coming out of the central bank. But this time, the headline isn’t about what Nepal Rastra Bank is doing, it’s about who’s running it.

The disclosure gives us a rare glimpse into the personal financial profile of the man at the helm of Nepal’s monetary system. And what we found is telling.

No villas in Europe. No luxury SUVs. But also, no sign of struggle. What we see is a portrait of quiet financial strength; one shaped by family assets, academic credibility, and long-term investments.

Before we get into what exactly Governor Poudel owns (and doesn’t), let’s first explore why this disclosure exists, and why it’s not just symbolic, but legally required.

Why Property Disclosure Matters for Governors

So, why does the Governor have to share his financial details in the first place? Well, he didn’t disclose his assets just to be nice. It’s required by law.

1. Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059

Under Section 50 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2059, every public official, particularly those in high-level positions, is legally required to submit a property declaration within 60 days of taking office, and then every fiscal year thereafter. This includes disclosure of assets in the name of both the official and their family members.

In simple terms: if you hold public power in Nepal, your finances cannot be a mystery.

But it doesn’t stop there. 

2. The Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058 

Section 32 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act also imposes additional checks for the Governor, Deputy Governors, and Directors. They must disclose every six months whether they or their family members have any direct or indirect commercial interests that may influence decision-making.

This is meant to prevent conflicts of interest, promote accountability, and protect the institutional integrity of Nepal Rastra Bank, arguably the most powerful economic institution in the country.

So yes, this isn’t just a feel-good transparency move. It’s the law.

And now, let’s unpack the actual disclosure.

What Did the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Declare?

The property details made public include everything from land and houses to gold jewelry, bank deposits, and even shareholdings in major hydropower and banking companies.

And here's the first interesting twist: most of the assets are not in Governor Poudel’s name—but in his spouse’s.

This includes:

• Two houses (Satdobato, Lalitpur & Gaindakot, Nawalparasi)
• Multiple land parcels 
• Large shareholdings in bank, hydropower and financial firms exceeding 14 crore
• A decent amount of gold and diamond jewelry
• Combined bank balances of over Rs. 20 lakh

So while the lifestyle may appear understated, the financial portfolio tells a more layered story.

Let’s unpack each category, one by one.

Immovable Property: House and Land

In Nepal, land and real estate are often the most telling signs of personal wealth. So, when the property details of the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank were made public, this is where we looked first.

And here’s the surprising part: not a single piece of real estate is in Governor Poudel’s name.
Everything is registered under his spouse, Pratibha Sharma, a setup that’s not uncommon in many Nepali households.

Let’s break it down.

A. Two Homes; Comfortable, Not Lavish

The couple owns two residential houses, and both appear modest by high-ranking-official standards.

1. Sainbu, Lalitpur
   • House area: 2,795 sq. ft.
   • Land parcel no.: 643
   • Ownership: Pratibha Sharma
   • Source: Inherited + earned
2. Gaindakot, Nawalparasi
   • House area: 2,500 sq. ft.
   • Land parcel no.: 4172, 4174
   • Ownership: Also under Pratibha Sharma
   • Source: Family inheritance + joint income

Both houses are built through inheritance and self-income. The one in Sainbu is in a semi-urban area that’s been growing steadily in value, while the Gaindakot home likely ties back to family roots.

B. A Few Plots of Land, Mostly Inherited

In addition to the homes, the Governor’s spouse also owns a couple of land parcels:

If you’re from a middle- or upper-middle-class family in Nepal, this might feel familiar; ancestral land in the hometown, and maybe a house or two slowly built over time.

This isn’t land hoarding. It’s steady, family-driven property ownership. Nothing extravagant, nothing excessive.

Total Value of Land and Houses: 2.15 Crore+

So What’s the Takeaway?

• All property is in his wife’s name, a common setup in many Nepali families.
• The real estate holdings are inherited or modestly built, not speculative investments.
• No commercial buildings, no flats in Kathmandu, and no land in foreign countries.

In a time when flashy real estate empires often hint at murky money trails, this kind of clean, documented property record, centered on family, feels refreshingly grounded.

Next up: what’s sitting in their bank accounts? Let’s take a look.

Bank Deposits and Cash Holdings

Okay, so the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank isn’t living in a mansion. But what about liquid cash, what’s sitting in the bank?

The property disclosure gives us a clear picture: Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel and his wife together hold just over Rs. 20 lakh in bank accounts. Let’s look at the numbers.

A. In the Governor’s Name

B. In His Spouse’s Name (Pratibha Sharma)

Total Bank Balance: ~ 21.39 Lakhs*

What Does This Reveal?

• No suspicious cash pile-ups.
• Most of their liquid wealth is modest and documented.
• The dollar holdings, especially in the spouse’s name, are worth noting, but not unusual.

So far, everything points to a lifestyle that’s fairly well-off, and definitely not “cash-rich” in the way we often imagine with top officials.

But don’t count him out yet. His biggest wealth doesn’t sit in banks. It’s in shares and equity.

That’s where we’re heading next: Shares and Investments.

Shares and Investments: Where the Real Wealth Is

So far, Governor Poudel’s property list looks grounded. Some land, a couple of houses. But once you peek into his investment portfolio, it’s clear: this is where the serious money is.

As Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, he holds significant equity in some of Nepal’s most promising sectors, especially banking and hydropower.

Let’s take a closer look 

A. Shareholdings in His Name

B. Shareholding in His Spouse’s Name (Pratibha Sharma)

Combined Investment Value: Rs. 14 crore+

At first glance, Rs. 14 crore in shares is already a significant number. But here’s where things get interesting.

These values are based on par value, not actual market value. And in some cases, the difference is massive.

Take the three listed companies in his portfolio:

So, just these three companies alone (if calculated at current market prices) would push his investment value close to Rs. 20 crore, and that’s before counting the unlisted hydropower companies or any share appreciation over time.

What This Tells Us

• This is where the real wealth sits. In equity, not land or cash.
• Promoter-level shares indicate deep early ties and long-term positioning in powerful sectors.
• The Governor’s asset disclosure technically complies with the rules, but the declared numbers may significantly understate actual wealth.
• As of now, all of it is noted as self-earned or inherited, but the scale and sectors signal strategic investment, not just savings.

And that leaves us with a big question:
If this is what’s declared, what’s the full picture?

So while the real estate and cash holdings may feel modest, the share portfolio? Definitely not.

Ready to see what’s in the locker?

Gold, Jewelry, and Valuables

In many Nepali homes, real wealth isn’t just measured in land or shares, it’s counted in tola. That’s right, we’re talking gold jewelry, passed down or saved up over decades. So what does the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and his family keep locked up?

Let’s find out.

Jewelry Holdings

Total Value of Jewelry: ~ 85 Lakhs*

This section helps reinforce what the rest of his property details hint at: low-profile living, high-value investing.

Vehicle, Loans, and Other Assets

You might expect the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, the person overseeing the country’s monetary stability, to cruise around in a luxury SUV, right?

Well, not quite.

Vehicle Disclosure

Yup, a Suzuki. Not a Lexus. Not a Land Cruiser. A Suzuki.

And even that was bought by selling an older vehicle and topping it up with self-earned income. For a central bank governor, this almost feels like the financial version of minimalism.

Loans or Debts?

None. Zero. 

Governor Poudel has officially declared that he and his spouse have no outstanding loans, whether personal or institutional.

That’s a rare sight in a world where debt is often used even by high-net-worth individuals to finance growth or lifestyle. But here, the balance sheet is crystal clear.

Other Assets?

No mention of livestock, inherited valuables, antiques, or any other hidden gems. It’s a clean slate.

Key Takeaways: So, How Rich Is the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank?

Let’s break it down based on the latest disclosure:

Estimated Net Worth: ~Rs. 17.5 crore+

Let that sink in. We’re not talking about an upper-middle-class profile here. This is a high-net-worth individual, and not just because of old family land or flashy cars, but because of a well-positioned, long-term investment strategy.

A Career That Explains the Numbers

With an estimated net worth of over Rs. 17 crore, some may wonder: is that too much for a public official?

But take a step back.

Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel is no ordinary bureaucrat. Before becoming Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, he spent decades moving between classrooms, policy tables, boardrooms, and international forums.

He has advised global institutions, shaped national plans, published academic research, and held senior roles in the banking and energy sectors. In fact, many of the companies listed in his investment portfolio reflect organizations where he has contributed professionally, sometimes at the highest levels.

So yes, his numbers add up. Not just because of his title, but because of the journey behind it.

Final Thoughts: Quiet Wealth, Clear Disclosure

There’s nothing particularly flashy about Dr. Poudel’s property disclosure. No sprawling apartment complexes. No real estate stashed abroad. No luxury vehicles or mystery loans.

But that doesn’t mean he isn’t wealthy.

What we see instead is a portfolio that’s strategic, structured, and largely domestic. One that’s been built steadily, over a long career in policy, academia, and development. And importantly, one that’s been fully declared and legally compliant.

In an era when public office is too often tainted by secrecy or excess, this kind of disclosure; complete, grounded, and believable, feels refreshing.

Dr. Poudel may not flaunt his wealth. But make no mistake. He is one of Nepal’s wealthier public figures. The difference is, his financial story doesn’t raise eyebrows, it raises the bar.