Kathmandu- On September 8 and 9, the Gen-Z Movement caused vandalism and arson that inflicted damages worth nearly Rs 180 billion to the government and private sector, according to preliminary estimates. The government stated that a detailed assessment of the losses is underway while also announcing the launch of a reconstruction campaign.

Preliminary Assessment
Initial figures show damages of around Rs 180 billion in total across government and private sectors, highlighting the urgent need for immediate steps toward reconstruction and recovery.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced that reconstruction work has begun. She also assured that the government would guarantee the security of private investments.

Government Sector Losses
According to Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, government structures alone suffered damages worth nearly Rs 100 billion .

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he said 380 federal office buildings across the country had been affected, of which 105 were rendered completely unusable.

In the Kathmandu Valley alone, out of 60 district-level federal offices, 24 buildings were fully damaged (red-sticker), 15 partially damaged (yellow-sticker), and 21 buildings were in a condition to operate after minor repairs, according to the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction.

Additionally, 55 buildings under the federal secretariat were also reported damaged.

Ghising said assessments are underway to determine which structures need immediate repair and which require complete reconstruction. ‘We are calling on Nepalis at home and abroad, including non-resident Nepalis, to take part in this national reconstruction drive,’ he said.

Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal clarified that reconstruction efforts would not be delayed due to funding shortages.

According to him, several police offices, courts, and other facilities are already being rebuilt using their own budgets. ‘Unproductive projects that could not or should not be implemented have been suspended, and their funds will be diverted for reconstruction,’ he explained.

Private Sector Losses: Rs 80 billion
Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) reported that the private sector suffered damages worth around Rs 80 billion due to the movement.

According to FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, damage assessments of industries, businesses, and small enterprises across the country are still ongoing, while reports from large industries outside the capital are yet to arrive. In the tourism sector alone, losses of Rs 25 billion have been estimated.

Dhakal emphasized that since the private sector contributes 81 percent to the national economy and generates 86 percent of employment, the government must take responsibility for its protection.

The FNCCI has demanded immediate relief measures such as loan restructuring and rescheduling, income tax exemptions, customs and duty waivers, concessional interest rates, and adjustments in VAT rates.

It has also proposed allowing businesses to channel their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds into reconstruction, making the business registration/deregistration process more efficient via the Nagarik App, and eliminating the requirement for renewal after tax payment.

Dhakal further suggested that the recent damages pose an added challenge to Nepal’s planned graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, and urged the government to request the United Nations to postpone the graduation.