By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 3: On last Wednesday, when 59-year-old Tankashari Budha Chhetri from Ward 4 of Khajura Gaunpalika in Banke district reached the ward office for renewal of the allowance she was receiving under Social Security Scheme as a single woman aged below 60 years, the office denied the renewal.
The ward office explained that the state government had directed the local levels to not renew the social security identity card of single women aged below 60 years as well as people with severe disability (blue-card holders).
Since Chhetri was told that her allowance would not be renewed, she had no option but to return home with a heavy heart. Chhetri was shocked to know that the government had decided to retract the allowance provided to them.
As the Social Security Act does not mention provision of allowance to single women aged below 60 years and only entitles people with total disability for the allowance, the authority had decided to halt the allowance until the act is amended.
In May, the Department of National ID and Civil Registration had issued a notice stating that single women aged below 60 years and blue-card disability holders would receive the allowance only after the government issued a notice in Nepal Gazette.
However, after the notice, activists had been demanding with the government to continue providing allowance.
Speaking to The Rising Nepal earlier, Founding Chairperson of Women for Human Rights Lily Thapa had said, “The government should focus on increasing the allowance rather than retracting it. The allowance is a relief and an economic support for many.”
However, the authorities have been halting the process citing that the act does not allow single women aged below 60 years and individuals with severe disability to enjoy the facilities.
Meanwhile, a minister-level meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 30 decided to resume the allowance for single women aged below 60 years and blue-card disability holders.