The number of Nepalese citizens receiving social security allowance has increased by 5.5 percent, according to the economic survey of the financial year 2080/081 presented by Finance Minister Barshaman Pun Anant on Sunday.
The survey, which was presented in both houses of the Federal Parliament, revealed that the number of citizens covered by social security has reached 38 lakh 277 till last February, up from 37 lakh 6 thousand 327 last year.
The survey also provided a breakdown of the citizens receiving social security allowance, including 16 lakh 22 thousand 516 senior citizens above 70 years, 1 lakh 58 thousand 261 Dalits above 60 years, 1 lakh 98 thousand 270 single female senior citizens above 60 years, 5 lakh 76, 553 persons with complete disabilities, 66 thousand 452 persons with severe disabilities, 1 lakh 42 thousand 185 persons with disabilities, 7 lakh 61 thousand 93 children of designated area, 3 lakh 42 thousand 176 Dalit children, 22 thousand 247 endangered caste, and 16 thousand 844 senior citizens above 60 years old in designated area.
The survey also revealed that the amount of money that the state spends on social security allowance is increasing every year.
In the current financial year, the federal government allocated 2.98 billion 57.19 million for social security, which is 14 percent of the total budget, 78 percent of the current budget, and 5.54 percent of the gross domestic product.
Ten years ago, in the financial year 070/071, only 8.17 percent of the total budget was spent on social security.
| Category | Number of Beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Senior citizens above 70 years | 16,22,516 |
| Dalits above 60 years | 1,58,261 |
| Single female senior citizens above 60 years | 1,98,270 |
| Widowed Women | 5,76,553 |
| Persons with complete disabilities | 66,452 |
| Persons with severe disabilities | 1,42,185 |
| Children of designated area | 7,61,93 |
| Dalit children | 3,42,176 |
| Endangered caste | 22,247 |
| Senior citizens above 60 years old in designated area | 16,844 |
