25th August 2024, Kathmandu

The Supreme Court of Nepal has issued an interim order preventing the government from implementing its decision to make the national identity card mandatory for obtaining insurance, social security benefits, and other public services.

Supreme Court Halts Mandatory National ID Card

A bench of judges Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Til Prasad Shrestha ruled on Friday that the government’s decision to require a national identity card for social security allowances should be temporarily suspended.

The government had initially planned to make the national identity card mandatory for renewing social security allowances in 28 districts starting from July 1, 2023. This requirement was later expanded to include 38 more districts from January 1, 2024. By July 1, 2024, the government aimed to make the national identity card mandatory nationwide for receiving social security allowances.

However, advocate Ram Bahadur Rawal and others filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court, arguing that the government’s delay in issuing national identity cards would deprive many senior citizens of their social security benefits if the requirement became mandatory.

The Supreme Court’s interim order provides temporary relief to individuals who may have faced difficulties in obtaining or renewing their national identity cards. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that access to essential services like insurance and social security benefits is not hindered by bureaucratic requirements.

Supreme Court Halts Mandatory National ID Card