March 4: The half-yearly review of the monetary policy has failed to address some of the issues raised by bankers at a time when the term of the central bank’s governor is about to expire.

The current governor, whose term expires within a few weeks, did not make any decision in the review that would have long-term effects.

The bankers had demanded a review of spread rate counting method, counter cycling buffer, and not to make debenture mandatory among other demands. These issues have not been addressed by the half-yearly review. However, the bankers are hopeful that those issues would be addressed in the coming days once the central bank gets a new governor.

Nepal Bankers Association had urged Nepal Rastra Bank to reduce the spread rate from 4.5 percent to 4.4 percent. They were also demanding that the mandatory provision of issuing 25 percent debenture on the paid-up capital to be made optional.

Most of the bankers believe that the central bank did not amend the monetary policy much to avoid controversy at a time when Governor Chiranjivi Nepal is about to retire after completion of his five-year term on March 18.

Chairman of Nepal Bankers Association Bhuvan Dahal said they are hopeful that the central bank would address their demands in the future.