Kaligandaki to provide Rs. 4,000 incentive for third child

By Arjun Kafle

Syangja, Jan. 11: As Nepal begins to feel the impact of a slowing population growth rate, a rural municipality in Syangja has introduced a policy that reflects a growing national concern. 

Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Syangja has announced a monthly security allowance of Rs. 4,000 for families who give birth to a third child, as part of efforts to address the declining population growth rate.

The local government said the decision aims to curb the falling birth rate, encourage positive attitudes towards having children, maintain long-term population balance and implement nutrition-friendly local governance.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Bhesh Raj Acharya, the allowance will be provided to eligible families in line with the Procedure for Providing Financial Assistance to Families with Three Children, 2025. 

Families meeting the prescribed criteria will receive Rs. 4,000 per month for up to two years.

Municipality Chair Khim Bahadur Thapa said that although the traditional belief is that “two children are a blessing from God”, the municipality introduced the policy to counter the declining birth rate. 

As per the procedure, families permanently residing within Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, who give birth to a third child after mid-July 2025 (Shrawan 2082 BS onwards), are eligible to apply. 

Applicants must submit a request to the concerned ward office along with the required documents.

The municipality has requested citizenship certificates of the parents, birth registration certificates of all three children, a marriage registration certificate and a migration certificate in cases where the family has relocated. 

The municipality also stated that the child must be born at a health institution listed by the government.