The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) just wrapped up its 60th Annual General Meeting, and—surprise, surprise—we have a new President! Our premier body of byaparis has officially hit the big six-zero. But instead of gaining the wisdom that comes with age, it seems our "big" business houses are still stuck in the toddler phase of ethical responsibility. Sixty years, and they still haven't figured out how to pay a living wage, stop the tax-evasion gymnastics, or quit the creative "under-invoicing" and fake VAT bill scams that would make a Hollywood con artist blush.
The Heir Apparent: Democracy or Dynasty?
The FNCCI has this peculiar little rule: the Senior Vice-President automatically slides into the President’s chair. It’s like a corporate version of Game of Thrones, but with more suits and less honor. One has to wonder how "fair" this actually is. In a country where every election—from federal polls to the local youth club—is a messy saga of factions, "bhag-banda" deals, and backroom alliances, the FNCCI’s succession plan feels less like a meritocracy and more like a pre-determined coronation.
The Twelve Families and the Princelings
Take a look at the executive committee, and you’ll see the same dozen or so surnames appearing like recurring characters in a long-running soap opera. It’s a closed loop where the same powerful families control the strings, while their "princelings" climb the associate-member ladder as if it’s their birthright. Even our Finance Minister recently admitted he was spooked by reports of public land grabbing, money laundering, and tax evasion by these "pillars of industry." When the government’s own money-man finds your business practices more terrifying than a horror movie, you know you’ve reached a new level of "shady."
The Math Doesn’t Lie: Who’s Really Carrying Nepal?
Our big byaparis love to lecture us that without them, Nepal would have collapsed into a failed state decades ago. They act like Atlas holding up the world, but let’s look at the actual math. While the big houses employ about 300,000 people—roughly 1% of our population—it’s actually the medium and small businesses that are the true backbone of domestic employment.
And let’s not forget the real heroes: our 5 million-strong diaspora. It’s the migrant workers sweating in the heat of the Gulf or the fields of East Asia who have kept this economy on life support for twenty years. It’s the remitted money—not the fancy cable cars, banks, or five-star hotels—that puts food on the tables of at least 20 million people back home.
Middlemen in Suits
Most of these "titans" own everything: the banks, the insurance companies, the private schools, the hospitals, and the trading houses. But let’s call them what they really are: middlemen. They aren't inventing the next big tech or creating global brands; they are making a killing by selling us imported cars, bikes, Kitkats, Pringles, and that suspicious "plastic" spicy fish from across the northern border.
The "Balen" Effect and a Proposal for Amnesty
The Balen-led Kathmandu government is currently on a high-octane mission to clean up the city’s illegalities, and the FNCCI is visibly sweating. With a former President already in police custody over illegal share transactions, the walls are closing in.
Here’s a radical thought: the government should offer an amnesty. No jail time—provided you come clean. If you’ve evaded taxes, grabbed public land, or bribed a hakim, pay back every single cent of that ill-gotten loot. Turn state witness so we can finally round up the ten thousand corrupt officials, politicians, and "jholey" activists who have bled this country dry. We can house them in Dasharath Rangasala for a year while we let Harka Sampang design a mega-prison where they can finally learn the value of hardcore manual labor.
A Final Plea: Just Do the Right Thing
We wish the new FNCCI committee the best of luck—they’re going to need it. The era of cooking the books and hiding illegal gains in the Cayman Islands or through hundi channels is ending. From now on, you don't need to pay bribes to greedy officials or "donations" to local thugs. Use that saved money to pay your staff a fair wage. Pay your taxes in full. Give back the land that doesn't belong to you.
It’s time to stop being "traders" and start being "Gorkhalis." Get rich, yes—but do it legally, ethically, and with a bit of pride for the country that made you.
Jai Nepal!