“Hid Kathmandu” Protest Campaign — Investors Publish 28-Point Demand for Capital Market Reform
Author
NEPSE TRADING
Nepali share investors are set to launch the “Hid Kathmandu” Protest Campaign, gathering at the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) to demand comprehensive reforms for the country’s capital market. The investors have released a 28-point memorandum calling for transparency, efficiency, and investor protection in the stock market.
According to a press statement issued by campaign coordinator Dipendra Agrawal, the main demands include:
Resignation of SEBON Chair Santosh Narayan Shrestha if he fails to implement long-pending reform programs.
Allowing Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) free entry and exit in the secondary market with equal tax treatment.
Provision for investors to charge interest from brokers in case of payment delays after selling shares.
Permission for banks to allocate up to 20% of their total lending as share-backed loans.
50% reduction in broker commission fees and removal of other service charges.
Revising the capital gains tax to 5% for short-term investments and 0% for long-term holdings.
Extending market trading hours from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to ensure participation from working professionals.
Immediate implementation of intraday trading, short selling, stock splits, and a derivatives market in line with global standards.
Introduction of real-time settlement in share transactions.
Granting new broker licenses every three years to expand investor access.
Ending corruption and irregularities in IPO approval processes within SEBON.
Allowing companies to buy back their own shares if their market price falls below net worth.
Immediate rollout of Online KYC, Floated Index, and Single ISIN Code systems.
Abolishing Mutual Fund IPO reservations and allocating the benefit to students instead.
Applying circuit breakers at 10% upward and 5% downward price movements.
Organizers state that the campaign seeks to ensure fair access, transparency, and investor security in Nepal’s capital market.
According to them,
“The government and regulatory bodies must hear the voices of investors. Until reforms are implemented and accountability ensured, our peaceful protest will continue.”
The movement aims to pressure policymakers to act on long-discussed but unimplemented measures that are vital for restoring investor confidence and attracting both domestic and foreign capital.
On Kartik 14 (October 30), investors from across Nepal will gather at SEBON’s premises in Kathmandu to submit their official demands. The “Hid Kathmandu” campaign has called for nationwide investor unity and pledged to continue peaceful protests until meaningful changes are made.
The campaign represents a major push by investors seeking long-overdue structural reform in Nepal’s capital market.
By advocating for policy clarity, regulatory accountability, and market modernization, the “Hid Kathmandu” protest is expected to shape the future direction of Nepal’s investment environment.
“Our goal is not confrontation, but transformation,” said coordinator Dipendra Agrawal, adding that the movement will persist until the capital market becomes transparent, fair, and investor-friendly.
