The distribution of the last allowance has been impossible since all the money allocated was spend on the previous two installments, informed Chairperson of Sindupalchowk District Development Office (DDC) Rajubhai Shrestha. [break]
The last installment of social security should be distributed on May 29, but Shrestha is least positive about this being possible this year.
“How are we supposed to carry out the distribution when the Ministry of Local Development has allocated only Rs 6.5 million whereas we needed at least Rs 46.1 million for the last installment,´ he said.
According to Shrestha, they need a budget of Rs 140 million annually for the social security allowance but this year the government allocated Rs 100 million only.
“Since we didn"t have the required amount, the first and second installments were paid out only partially and the distribution took place much later than on the proposed date. As a result we are facing a huge problem making the payment for the last installment,” said Shrestha.
The DDC has been distributing social security allowance to 24,516 locals in three different installments.
Even though the government has clearly stated that the social security allowance should be distributed in January, May and September every year, the payments have rarely been made on time, said Shrestha.
“We won"t be able to carry out the distribution if the government doesn"t allocate an additional budget some time soon,” he said.
Out of the total population in the district eligible for social security allowance, 12,112 are people above 70 while 1,542 are elderly dalits, 3,892 are widows above 60 and 3,704 are widows below 60.
Likewise, the number of totally disabled are 392, while 84 are partially disabled, informed Shrestha.
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