National Identity Card Integration with State Services
From the next fiscal year 2081/82, the national identity card (NID) will become a key component for accessing various state-provided services. This integration aims to streamline processes and enhance the utility of the NID.
Mandatory Use of National Identity Card
The National Identity Card and Registration Department has announced that starting from 2081/82, a copy of the NID or the identity card number will be mandatory for various tasks such as:
- Receiving social security allowances
- Renewing social security allowance cards
- Opening bank accounts
- Enrolling in health insurance
- Obtaining a Permanent Account Number (PAN)
- Buying and selling land
- Applying for a passport
Enhancing Economic Governance
Director Mukesh Kumar Keshari emphasized the need to increase the utility of the national identity card by linking it with various service systems. From the next fiscal year, the NID will serve as an alternative to the Nepali citizenship certificate for several official processes. The department will soon publish a notice in the gazette to formalize this change.
Preventing Fraud and Ensuring Efficiency
The integration of the NID aims to prevent multiple frauds such as:
- Receiving social security allowance multiple times
- Claiming benefits in the name of deceased individuals
- Availing various services multiple times with different identities
Keshari noted that making the NID mandatory for opening bank accounts will help Nepal Rastra Bank in tracking individual accounts more effectively. This measure addresses the issue of individuals opening multiple accounts under different identities, complicating financial tracking.
Testing and Implementation
The department is testing the integration of the NID with several key government systems, including:
- Internal Revenue Department
- Pension Management Office
- Transport Management Department
- Company Registrar's Office
- Health Insurance Board's System
Public Response and Distribution Challenges
Despite the efforts to promote the NID, public enthusiasm remains low. Although 3,754,334 NID cards have been printed, only 630,620 have been distributed. The remaining cards are held at district administration offices. To date, data for 14.9 million individuals have been collected for NID issuance. The department has been informing individuals via SMS to collect their cards, but many have not responded.
Conclusion
The integration of the national identity card with various state services is a significant step towards improving economic governance and service efficiency in Nepal. However, public awareness and participation are crucial for the success of this initiative.
