Accountability :: Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network

Weak Cybersecurity Puts Sensitive Data at Risk One after another, government websites have been hacked, leading to the theft of government and citizen data. Worse yet, hacker groups have put this sensitive information up for sale, leaving both government and citizen data at risk.

The Heavy Price of Corruption: Historic Heritage Turned to Ashes So far, seventy-five people have died, including 62 civilians, three police officers, and 10 inmates, in the anti-government protests called by Gen Z. This protest resulted in the burning of buildings, including Nepal’s principal administrative center, Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court (the pillar of justice), and both the Federal and Provincial Parliament buildings. Police data indicate that damage was caused to 452 police offices, 1,254 government offices, 458 private and commercial buildings, and 259 offices of political parties nationwide. Demonstrators also vandalized and set fire to media house offices, the residences of leaders affiliated with political parties, and international-standard hotels.

Weak State Oversight of Pesticides Exposed The increase in imports is a direct result of farmers increasing their consumption of pesticides in their fields. Easy and accessible access to pesticides has led to farmers' increased use on crops and vegetables. While the use of chemical pesticides on food and vegetable crops is increasing, the government has been unable to regulate and control it. The misuse of pesticides has grown because farmers have not been given proper training and technical knowledge about the correct amounts and methods for using approved pesticides.

Earthquake Victims Dying in Temporary Shelters Earthquake victims affected by the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake have not yet received government grants to build their houses. Because of this, they are still living under tarpaulins and tin roofs. Forced to spend winters and monsoons in temporary shelters, new mothers, the elderly, girls, and those with chronic illnesses are dying prematurely.

Unregulated Pesticide Use Threatens Public Health Farmers are increasing their use of deadly pesticides in the fields. According to data from the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre, pesticide use is growing by 10% every year. This increasing use of pesticides is not only having a serious impact on human health but also on the environment and the ecosystem.

Trapped in Love and Blackmail: The Rising Threat of Sextortion in Nepal Incidents of criminals entrapping women and girls in sextortion schemes in the name of love are on the rise. Due to weak laws, perpetrators often get away with their crimes, while victims are further traumatized.

Political Parties Involved in Tax Evasion NIMJN Investigation reveals that 62 political parties failed to pay a combined Rs 3.4 million in taxes. An expert audit — with a director from the Auditor General’s Office — found they skipped paying house rent tax, failed to deposit the 1% social security tax deducted from staff salaries, and dodged other advance taxes.

Cracked ground, broken homes: An alarming case of Tilkechaur in eastern Nepal Much of the ground surface in Tilkechaur, a hillock spanning approximately 150 ropanis, has developed cracks. While the government promised aid to those who migrated due to the danger, no one has received financial assistance, nor have any steps been taken to relocate families at risk to a safer place.

Salt in the Wound: How Dithering on Implementation of Salt Act is Taking Toll on Health of Nepalis Following the publication of this investigation, the Nepal government has decided to implement the 1998 Act (2055 BS) to regulate iodized salt, effective from July 17, 2025. The Industry, Commerce, Labour, and Consumer Welfare Committee of the House of Representatives has called for the formation of a task force to determine the amount of iodine in salt, citing the high iodine content.

Food for Thought: Excess of Iodine in Salt Poses Health Risks to Nepalis The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a standard of 40 PPM at the production level and 15 PPM when it reaches consumers. Neighboring India has a standard of 15 PPM when consumers purchase in retail shops and 30 PPM during production. Nepal's standard has significantly more iodine than both the WHO and Indian standards. According to the government-set standard, salt sold in Nepal should have 30 PPM iodine when it reaches consumers.

Indifference to Child Trafficking: No Interest in Child Protection After the country adopted federalism, the district-level Women and Children's Offices and the District Child Welfare Committees were dissolved. In the past, these offices used to monitor children's homes and create mechanisms to prevent illegal trafficking, among other tasks. With the dissolution of these offices, the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, entrusted the responsibility of protecting children to the local levels (municipalities).

When Schools Flood, Children with Disabilities Pay the Highest Price A total of 117 students went to Pashupati Basic School, including 95 regular students and 22 students with disabilities. The 95 regular students were able to start classes again, even if they had to use one classroom for two different classes. But students like Tanka have not been able to return. This makes it hard for students with disabilities to get back to school after the disaster.

Billions Down the Drain: Nepal’s Earthquake Resettlement Efforts Fall Flat Following the 2015 earthquake, the government, various individuals, and organizations constructed integrated settlements in different locations for the displaced. At that time, those affected by the disaster came to the integrated settlements for shelter, but due to the lack of an environment that could sustain them there, the displaced families are forced to return to their own risky hilly villages. On one hand, the investment of millions of rupees spent on building integrated settlements where no one lives has become like pouring water in sand. On the other hand, the displaced families are forced to return to the risky villages in the hills.

Government Unprepared for Immigrant Voting Rights Rollout The Supreme Court had ordered the government to formulate the necessary laws to ensure the right to vote from abroad for Nepalis living overseas. Following that order, local-level, provincial, and federal elections have already been held in the country. However, the Supreme Court's order has not yet been implemented. The government has not made significant progress in implementing the order ahead of the upcoming elections either.

Gulf States Fail to Protect Female Domestic Workers Despite Reform Pledges On April 2, 2017, the International Relations and Labor Committee of Nepal's then legislative parliament had instructed the government to refrain from sending workers to specific destination countries until clear laws concerning domestic helpers were established and a labor agreement was in place with Nepal. Subsequently, the government ceased sending women to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Nevertheless, women did not cease their pursuit of employment abroad; instead, they altered their travel routes.

Justice Elusive for Survivors of Rape and Violence in Remote Dolpa The National Penal Code (2017) has provisions stating that after the commission of an offense related to rape, no one should, by any means of fear, intimidation, threat, or coercion, with or without any exchange of goods or money, persuade the victim or the victim's family to refrain from filing a complaint, lodging a report, or appearing in court. Furthermore, it prohibits arranging or pressuring for or influencing any reconciliation or settlement between the perpetrator and the victim or a member of the victim's family.

Four Years After Melamchi Flood Disaster: Trauma of the Affected Remains Unhealed Families who lost relatives in the flood have faced social and practical problems, cultural obstacles, displacement and migration in their daily lives after becoming mentally distraught. All of these are non-economic losses caused by climate change-induced disasters and their aftermath.

Excess Iodine in Salt: A Growing Health Issue in Nepal The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a standard of 40 PPM at the production level and 15 PPM when it reaches consumers. Neighboring India has a standard of 15 PPM when consumers purchase in retail shops and 30 PPM during production. Nepal's standard has significantly more iodine than both the WHO and Indian standards.

Spent 4 Lakhs To Go To Malaysia, Returned Home After Failing the Medical Test The latest data from the Malaysian health agency 'FOMEMA' over the past three-and-a-half years shows that the major infectious diseases found in Nepali workers include TB, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, and Elephantiasis.

The Prime Minister Employment Program of Nepal: A Grand Vote Bank Politics Project The government has introduced approximately a dozen programs to create jobs and retain youth within the country. However, none of these programs appear to have been effective.