Rastriya Beema Company Delays Payments to Flood and Landslide Victims

Kathmandu – Rastriya Beema Company Limited (RBCL), a government-supported insurer, is drawing criticism for delays in processing claims filed by victims of recent floods and landslides. Despite instructions from government and regulatory authorities to expedite relief, no claims have been paid since the September 27-28 flood disaster, which led to more than NPR 206.7 million in filed claims

The Insurance Authority’s latest data reveals that the company has received claims across 17 insurance policies but has failed to act on any. This delay has raised concerns about systemic issues within the government-insured company, as private insurers may also exploit this situation to delay their own claims by citing similar challenges.

The company has faced scrutiny in the past over claim-processing practices, including prior controversies involving payments for incomplete projects. Concerns have now emerged over the effectiveness of CEO Dr. Shivahari Shrestha, who assumed the position several months ago and has yet to address the backlog of flood-related claims. Shrestha declined to comment when asked about the pending claims for flood victims, leaving affected communities frustrated and further igniting criticism of his tenure.