Kathmandu, June 27

The Department of Civil Registration under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has issued a circular to all local levels, directing them to distribute social security allowance to beneficiaries only through banking channel.

The annual budget statement of the fiscal 2017-18 had stated that all types of social security allowance would be distributed by opening bank account of the beneficiaries.  The circular issued to the district coordination committees, metropolitan cities, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and rural municipalities yesterday read, “All municipalities and district headquarters-based rural municipalities shall distribute and cause to distribute the allowance by opening a bank account. The local levels shall distribute the allowance in cash where it is not possible to do so due to the absence of banks and financial institutions. While distributing cash, an arrangement of supervision and monitoring by competent authorities shall be made for its transparency.”

The DCR also said it was holding discussion with the banks and financial institutions to disburse them in advance the amount needed for distributing allowance. It warned that concerned employees would be held responsible for the consequences arising out of the delay in allowance distribution.

The DCR has already set aside Rs 32.69 billion for distribution of social security allowance for the current fiscal. Senior citizens above 70 years, Dalits and locals of Karnali zone who are above 60 years of age and children of the same region who are below five years are entitled to the monthly allowance. Similarly, the allowance is provided to single women/widows, disabled, endangered communities and the disabled.