Prime Minister Balen Shah Brings National Investigation Department Back Under Prime Minister’s Office

The National Investigation Department Nepal has been brought back under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers following a new government decision. Prime Minister Balendra Shah made the move through the Nepal Government Work Division Regulations, which also restructured the responsibilities of 18 ministries.

Earlier, the department had been placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs by the previous government led by former Prime Minister Sushila Karki. At that time, the Revenue Investigation Department and Money Laundering Investigation Department were moved under the Ministry of Finance, and the government also started steps to dissolve the Revenue Investigation Department.

The latest decision returns the intelligence agency to the Prime Minister’s Office, similar to a structure implemented in 2018 under KP Sharma Oli. That earlier system had faced criticism for concentrating too much power under the Prime Minister’s Office. The new change is now expected to raise fresh debate on governance and administrative balance.