Open · Accountable · Independent
An institution claiming to serve the national interest must itself be beyond reproach. A hypothetical Royal Council Nepal would be built on radical transparency — open accounts, published decisions, independent oversight, and full accountability to the people of Nepal.
How it is governed
A multi-layered governance structure with clear accountability chains, no single point of unchecked power, and published governance standards.
The Royal Council operates under an explicit constitutional mandate — defining its powers, limits, and accountability requirements. The mandate is passed by Parliament, cannot be changed unilaterally, and is subject to constitutional review.
The administrative centre, staffed by career civil servants (not political appointees) under a Secretary-General appointed by an independent public process. The Secretariat is responsible for daily administration and governance of all departments and programmes.
The Royal Council appears annually before a Parliamentary Committee — presenting accounts, explaining decisions, and answering questions. Any member of parliament can question Royal Council operations. Reports are published publicly.
Where the money comes from and goes
Full financial transparency is non-negotiable. The source of all funding, every expenditure, and every grant awarded would be published publicly — with no exceptions for “private royal matters.”
The Royal Council's operational budget is allocated by Parliament — set in law, not at the discretion of the government or the Crown. Foundation funding comes from private, charitable, and international sources only. No supplementary payments from any state body without parliamentary approval.
Full annual accounts published within three months of each financial year end. Accounts prepared under government financial reporting standards. Lay summary in Nepali and English for general public access. Available free online and in physical offices.
Annual external audit by the Auditor General of Nepal — the same body that audits all government institutions. Audit findings published publicly. Any material findings trigger mandatory parliamentary committee review within 30 days.
Every grant, scholarship, award, or donation made by the Royal Council or its foundations published in a public register — including the recipient, amount, purpose, and outcome. Updated quarterly. Searchable online.
Standards of conduct
A comprehensive code of conduct applies to all members, staff, and advisors of the Royal Council — with independent enforcement and public accountability.
A published code of conduct covering: conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, use of position, public statements, political activity, and confidentiality. Applies to all royal family members in their Royal Council capacity, all staff, and all advisors.
Published governance standards based on international best practice for constitutional institutions. Annual self-assessment against standards. External peer review by independent constitutional governance experts every three years.
An independent ethics panel — appointed through a public process, not by the Crown — to investigate complaints about conduct, conflicts of interest, or breach of the code. Panel findings are published publicly. Sanctions include removal from role.
External accountability
The Royal Council is accountable not only to Parliament and the courts, but to a range of independent oversight bodies — ensuring no single institution can shield it from scrutiny.
Any citizen or institution can challenge Royal Council decisions in the Supreme Court for constitutional compliance. The Court has full jurisdiction to review, require explanation, or invalidate any Royal Council act.
Annual independent financial audit. The Auditor General has unrestricted access to all Royal Council financial records, staff, and documents. No exceptions for “royal privacy.”
Full jurisdiction to investigate any complaint that Royal Council activities have infringed constitutional rights. Can require the Royal Council to appear before it, publish findings, and recommend remedies.
A formal civil society advisory panel with the right to publish independent assessments of Royal Council performance annually. Includes representatives of NGOs, media, academia, business, and community organisations — chosen independently, not by the Crown.
Open information
The Royal Council's default position is openness, not secrecy. Information is published proactively, not only when requested.
