KATHMANDU, Feb 1: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a three-point directive regarding the national identity card dispute.
Advocate Ram Bahadur Raut and others had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court on June 16, claiming that the government is delaying the issuance of National ID card, and if the card is made mandatory, many senior citizens may be deprived of their social security allowances.
After the SC issued an interim order in the case, the government filed a petition requesting the dismissal of this order. The SC, after considering all related writ petitions, including the dismissal request, decided to reject the petition on January 19, paving the way for the issuance of NID
On Friday, the complete judgment from the full bench, led by Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, was made public by the Supreme Court. The SC gave the government three key directives, highlighting the need for accessible personal data.
Three-point directive:
Enhancing public awareness and expediting distribution
The government must take more effective measures to inform all citizens about the process of acquiring a national identity card. Additionally, it should collect personal and biometric details of citizens based on their Nepali citizenship and ensure the swift completion of the distribution process. The directive aims to eliminate the hassle, inconvenience, and difficulties faced in public service delivery due to the lack of a national identity card.
Establishing adequate collection and distribution units. The government must set up and operate sufficient stations or units within public service delivery agencies to facilitate the collection and distribution of national identity card details. Ensuring data security and preventing unauthorized use The government must scientifically document the details of the national identity card to prevent unauthorized use or misuse of personal information.
It must also conduct a security audit of the National Identity Card Management Information System and the systems of other agencies that utilize the national identity card or its number for service delivery. Furthermore, the government should develop and implement necessary policies, legal frameworks, and structural arrangements to ensure the security and confidentiality of individuals' electronic records.