“I Have Swallowed the Criticism Like Poison”: Wagle Defends Stock Market Reforms

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has said he is willing to face criticism for pursuing what he described as responsible and long-term economic policies rather than artificially boosting the stock market for popularity. He said the government did not come to power to create a temporary rally in share prices and later allow the market to collapse. Instead, the government is working to strengthen regulation, improve transparency, and safeguard the investments of small and ordinary investors. Wagle said the government’s stock market policies had made him a target of criticism and abuse over the past four months, but he had “swallowed it like poison” and continued working in the national interest. He said reforms announced through the current fiscal year’s budget would begin moving into implementation within a week, with regulatory bodies expected to start taking concrete steps.