When will the new note with Nepal's 'Chuche' map be printed?

 Nepal to Feature New 'Chuche' Map on 100 Rupee Notes.

Officials from Nepal's central bank have confirmed that the government has decided to include the new 'Chuche' map of Nepal on the upcoming 100 rupee banknotes. This decision, which will be implemented in the next printing cycle, was shared by government spokesperson Rekha Sharma told media persons while briefing about the cabinet decision. However, they mentioned that it could take some time to complete the legal procedures, including international bidding processes before the new notes are printed.

The government's decision to replace the old map with the 'Chuche' map on the 100 rupee note has sparked diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Kathmandu. Critics, including former governor and President Ram Chandra Poudel’s economic advisor Chiranjivi Nepal, have opposed the decision. Chiranjivi Nepal resigned following strong discontent from coalition leaders.

Despite starting to use the map on coins in 2021, this is the first time the map will be featured on banknotes. Currently, only the 100 rupee note among Nepal's nine different denominations will feature on the map.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Technology Rekha Sharma stated that the central bank was permitted to print new notes because the old 100 rupee banknotes were running low. Central bank officials assured that the decision made by the cabinet would be implemented.

Printing new banknotes is a lengthy process, involving international tenders. Deputy spokesperson of the central bank, Dilliram Pokhrel, explained that the new notes featuring the 'Chuche' map will be issued in the next printing cycle.

According to the central bank's report for the fiscal year 2022/23, there were 11.92 billion rupees worth of 100 rupee notes in stock at the beginning of the fiscal year. The report also mentioned that 303.9 million pieces of 100 rupee notes were in circulation.

Typically, a printing cycle aims to produce enough notes to last for three to three and a half years, according to central bank officials. The Nepal Rastra Bank Act 2001 requires government approval for the design, size, and denomination of banknotes, which the cabinet has now provided for the updated map.

In the fiscal year 2021/22, 160 million pieces of 100 rupee notes were printed and stored in the central bank's vault. Nepal has a history of printing notes in countries like Indonesia, Australia, France, and the UK. Recently, all denominations except for 50 and 100 rupee notes have been printed by the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation. The 50 rupee notes are printed in France and the 100 rupee notes in the UK. However, a Chinese news source mentioned that the Chinese company printed 100 rupee notes in 2016.

The inclusion of the new map has reignited disputes.

 Nepal issued an official map in May 2020, including Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh, after India unilaterally included Kalapani in its map following its decision to revoke Kashmir's special status. This led to diplomatic protests from Kathmandu.

The map issue has strained relations between Nepal and India, with formal bilateral talks resuming only after a visit by India's intelligence chief, Samant Goel, to Kathmandu. Both countries' leaders have since pledged to resolve the border disputes through dialogue. The decision to feature the new map on the 100 rupee note has drawn various reactions in India, which is currently preoccupied with elections.

India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "Our position is very clear. We are discussing our border issues through established platforms. An unilaterally taken decision by them does not change the reality on the ground." Despite these statements, serious official discussions to resolve the border issue have been lacking in recent years. Nepali foreign affairs experts argue that the Nepalese government has not taken sufficient steps to gain international recognition for the new map.