PYUTHAN, May 8: As promised during the local election campaigns, Naubahini Rural Municipality of Pyuthan has started distributing social security allowance at the doorsteps of the locals.
Earlier, the villagers had no option other than walking miles to reach the district headquarters even for minor works. However, their days have changed for good. Shiva Rijal, chairperson of Naubahini Rural Municipality, informed Republica that the local unit has coordinated with Nepal Investment Bank for delivering allowances at the doorsteps of people.
"We started distributing the allowance after opening bank accounts of 1,476 people of Naubahini Rural Municipality-4, 6, 7 and 8," said Chairperson Rijal, adding, "Our officials initiated the program by reaching ward-4 on Wednesday and Thursday."
Social security allowance at your doorsteps through mobile bank...
According to him, 307 eligible people of Masara village of ward-4 were the first to receive the allowance. This has greatly elated the locals. While elderly and disabled people received their allowance at their own homes, others had to go to their ward office for the purpose. People stayed in long queue outside the ward office to receive their allowance as assured by the government.
Similarly, the rural municipality also handed over the allowance of people living in ward 6 and 7, according to Thaneshwar Bhandari, chief administrative officer of Naubahini.
Officials of the bank, rural municipality and the respective wards distributed the allowance to the public.
"We launched this campaign to make people realize the existence of the local government," said Pahal Singh Gharti, chief of ward-4. This has offered a huge relief especially to the elderly and disabled people.
According to 89-year-old Surbir Roka, a team of government officials and elected representatives visited their village to hand over their allowances. He also expressed his excitement about his new bank account.
"We can withdraw money during the time of need and can also save it for future," said Surbir. He shared that he received an allowance of Rs 8,000.
Another elderly Belmati Pun expressed her gratefulness toward the local unit for understanding their problem.
A year ago, Nepal Investment Bank Limited had opened its branch in Bahane of Naubahini. Subash Bhandari, representative of NIBL, Bahane stated that the service seekers have been greatly benefited by the decision taken by the local unit.
