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Interview
for a Governor
Our source was able to record the interview sessions at the Prime Minister's residence with some of the candidates who offered themselves for the post of the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank. Here are excerpts published in the public interest.
What do you think has been your biggest achievement so far?
Several. For example, I have very close relations with all the donors. They do not forget to invite me for any cocktail that they host for any pretext. Equally importantly, I have very close relations with all the political parties in the present coalition government.
What are your strengths?
I can drink six large whiskies without ice or water and still go home, though most of the time on four legs.
Have you been following the political activity in the country?
Of course yes. I know the Yes Minister is up in arms against Why Minister, who is being supported by How Minister, and the question now is Which Minister should I approach to apply the oil that I got with special favour from the Oily Minister who was about to commit suicide but did not.
What do you know about the job you aspire for?
I know that I have to have a good rapport with the donors and the Finance Minister who are going to be my lords. I will also have to find ways to jump the rule against granting overdraft to the government and issue statements reiterating that the inflation is under control despite excessive spending by the government. It is really pretty tough job, but I know a little bit of statistics to cook the data up. So you need not worry about that.
What is your opinion about Nepali Rupee being pegged to Indian Rupee?
As I need a peg after every two hours to keep me going, the Nepali Rupee also needs a strong peg to keep it going. India is now getting very strong economically as I heard over the radio this morning. So it is good that we have our rupee pegged to a strong Indian rupee.
How do you plan to address the problem of huge non-performing assets of the banks and financial institutions?
I know what to do with the non-performers. They have to be simply removed as I was removed by my previous employer for being a non-performer. Even after I was removed, the company was functioning perfectly well. So if these banks remove their non-performing assets from their accounts there will be no non-performing problem.
What do you think about the foreign managers in Nepal Bank Ltd. and Rastriya Banijya Bank?
How can I say anything about them? They have not invited me for any cocktail so far. So, I don’t know anything about them. But I will know them very soon after I’m appointed the governor, because then they cannot afford not to entertain me now and often.
What sort of monetary policy should Nepal Rastra Bank follow under the current circumstances – contractionary or expansionary?
I have a different idea about it. It should be neither contractionary nor expansionary. Rather it should be extortionary. The policy should be able to extort as much as possible from the citizen for the government.
How are you going to deal with the demand of the business community which is vehemently opposing the blacklisting rules?
I think they are opposing it because the word ‘black’ has negative connotation. I will change the name and call it “whitelist” instead of “blacklist”.
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