KATHMANDU, July 11: Experts have suggested the government reconsider its decision to distribute senior citizen allowance at the age of 68. According to the latest data from the central bureau of statistics, experts have stressed that the government should reconsider this decision as the population of the elderly age group is increasing in Nepal.

Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of World Population Day on Monday, the experts said that the distribution of social security allowances at the age of 68 could not be sustained as the population of the elderly age group was increasing.

While presenting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29, the government fixed the age to old age allowance at the age of 68. The policy of providing old age allowance at the age of 68 has been reduced by lowering the old age allowance from 70 years. Experts have advised the government to reconsider this since it will increase the country 's financial burden.

Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, director of the Central Bureau of Statistics, has warned that the distribution of social security benefits stated by the state may need to be revised as the elderly population is increasing. Director Lamichhane said that the number of elderly populations in Nepal has been increasing recently. He said that the age group data that will be made public after the full census will surprise everyone.

Director Lamichhane said that it was necessary to manage the population migration as it was very high. He stressed that the government should focus on preventing population migration rather than reducing the population.

Speaking on the occasion, Kapil Timalsina, Director, Population Division, said that the health check-up of the citizens going abroad is being done in a ritualistic manner. He said the government should place special emphasis on conducting full health check-ups. He claimed that even in the current situation, most of the people going for foreign employment are incompetent. Director Timalsina pointed to CPN (Maoist Center) leader and National Assembly member Narayan Kaji Shrestha and said that Nepal would soon reach the status of Sri Lanka.

On the occasion, National Assembly member Bimala Rai Poudyal said that it was necessary to form a separate ministry for human research and development. He said that if the country considers population important, it is necessary to form a Ministry of Population and Human Development.

Member Poudyal stated that, there has never been a political conversation with the population at the center, and that the population issue has always been restricted to health. Member Poudyal claimed that there was no plan for human research development in Nepal and said that it is too late to bring human research in the country now. 

 
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