Kathmandu, June 24

The government has developed and circulated the model ‘’Social Security Programme for Orphan and Vulnerable Children (Operation Procedure) Act for the purpose of local levels to conduct welfare programmes for them.

The act will come into effect after the concerned municipal/village assembly approves it. The objective of the act is to regulate the fund established by any person or organisation in the rural municipality/municipality for social security programme for orphan and vulnerable children below 18 years of age.

“Cash shall be provided to identified orphan and vulnerable children from the operational revolving fund and the interest accrued,” the law reads.

As per the act, any person or organisation willing to obtain permission and run social security programme for orphan and vulnerable children at the concerned local levels shall submit an application to the executive.

After necessary examination and investigation, the executive may grant permission in such a way that the costs to be incurred are mentioned in the annual budget of the rural municipality/municipality and the amount to be expended through the fund.

The fund shall have the amount to be contributed by the concerned local level, NGOs and other organisations.

There shall be an eight-member fund management and operation committee led by a woman member nominated by the village/municipal executive. The members include representatives from NGOs, community schools, cooperative organisations, health posts, donors, local children’’s clubs and employees of rural municipality/municipality.

“The amount received for the fund may not be spent for training, workshop, tour, printing and advertisement. Amount of the fund may be provided to the target groups as cash grant, periodic grant, special grant and conditional grant,” it says.

The beneficiaries of the fund are orphaned children living in the custody of others after death of father and mother. Similarly, the children whose parents are mentally unsound, disappeared or fully disabled and are in need for proper care and protection will also be entitled to the facilities.

The monthly amount to be provided to the beneficiaries shall be as fixed by the village/municipal executive. Any child who wishes to enjoy facilities shall submit an application with necessary documents to the local level within 15 days from the date of publication of a public notice every year.

“The prospective beneficiaries may take help of local organisations, children’’s rights committees and children’’s groups for application. It requires the executives to enter into an agreement to the concerned children or their guardians or parents before issuing an ID card to the concerned beneficiaries.

The grant amount to be provided to the beneficiaries should be spent for education, health, food and clothing of the children. Social Development Committee of the executive will carry out motoring of the programme.