Kausi Tosakhana

Introduction to Kausi Tosakhana

Kausi Tosakhana was equivalent to the Treasury of Nepal during the Rana Regime. The Expenses incurred by the Ranas and the salaries to be distributed to Government Officials would be calculated and consequently provided from this administrative Office.

The Jurisdiction of this Office was controlled by Khajanchi. Khajanchi was the King’s powerful Officer concerned with the Royal Palace’s Finances and the country’s Finances. In other words, they were equivalent to the Treasurer of Nepal.

Kausi Tosakhana had multiple Individuals and Government Employees working under it to manage records and ensure Fiscal Transparency. Most Importantly, Subba and Khardar were kept in this Office.

Functions of Kausi Tosakhana

Distribution of Salary

The Government Officials of Nepal during the Rana Regime were primarily provided Land as a salary. When the state had enough revenue or couldn’t provide Lands, they were provided Money and allowances.

To equally provide Salaries according to posts and make sure that the Government Officers were well paid, Kausi Tosakhana under the Chief Treasurer distributed the salary of their officers. Therefore, this department was trusted by the Prime Minister to be fair, and generally, the Ranas themselves headed the Departments.

Not only that, they provided money and other sources of Income to Government Employees through heavy regulation and based on their respect and order.

Send Reports For Auditing

Although this Department had full control over the nation’s Fiscal Allocation and Financial regulation, they didn’t have the authority to audit their accounts. In other words, they needed to be transparent with their expenses.

Kausi Tosakhana was a sensitive Office and required much attention financially. Therefore, this office sent its reports and expenses including overall salary distribution, temple donation, goods purchasing, etc. to Kumari Chowk Adda.

This office acted as the Office of the Auditor and consequently made sure to induce Financial Transparency within Nepal.

Budget Allocation of Departments

The Administration of Nepal was filled with multiple Offices that were centered around the continuation of Civil Service, Economy, Law, etc. They had government employees, various material requirements, and other stationaries that needed to be bought. These offices included Khadga Nissan Adda, Bintipatra Niksari Adda, Munsi Khana, Sadar Daftarkhana, etc.

The Offices didn’t have Financial Jurisdiction to buy and purchase goods as needed. This was overlooked by Kausi Tosakhana. It provided the necessary funds to such government offices to purchase Goods and other Stationaries necessary in the Office.

Daily Expenses of Royal Palace and Rana Palace

The Lifestyle of the General Populace and the Royal Families (Both the Ranas and the Shahs) was vastly different. The Royal Families enjoyed luxuries that the average individual couldn’t expect. Even King Tribhuvan and King Prithvi were known to be very extravagant. Not only that, the Families of Prime Minister, Commander In Chief, Commanding General, Hajuriya General were also to be looked after.

In order to manage and provide money for such expenses, Kausi Tosakhana was given the responsibility. The Office had to oversee the recurring expenditure of the Palace, the area where it was mostly spent, and if the Palaces required further funding from the Government.

After overlooking these aspects, Kausi Tosakhana had to provide an appropriate Budget for such purchase through Mirmunsi if it was a foreign product.

Conclusion

Kausi Tosakhana was another Office involved in the Fiscal Administration of Nepal. Its Major Functions and Powers are as follows: paying government employees, checking financial records, allocating funds to different Goshwara’s and Other Offices and controlling daily costs at the Royal and Rana palaces.