Rampyari Nepali,65, from Khidim Gohele, Padhini Rural Municipality-3, has been deprived of the single women social security allowance due to the lack of her citizenship certificate. Rampyari’s husband, Lalbahadur Nepali, passed away, and she has been living with her daughter with disability in a hut near the remote forest of the Rural Municipality. Without a citizenship certificate, she cannot receive the social security allowance. Rampyari was born in Khidim Sadhanbuta, Panini Municipality-3, and got married to Lalbahdur from Harrabot Gohele. Social activist Surya KC explained that Rampyari could not obtain her citizenship because she was initially unaware of the importance of citizenship and did not understand why it was needed.
Prince Saru Magar, the technical assistant at Padhini Rural Municipality-3, explained that Rampyari’s husband, Lalbahadur, had a weak mental state, and no one helped gather the required documents or pushed for her citizenship so that it couldn’t be obtained. He added that Rampyari cannot do heavy work. She has no source of income. Even though she is a senior citizen, she has not received the social security allowance due to her lack of citizenship. He added that she came to the ward office with complaints about the hardship of supporting herself and her daughter. Rampyari expressed that previously the household expenses were covered by the social security allowance of her husband and daughter. After her husband’s death, their daily life has become very difficult. Rampyari complains that her son, who went to India in search of work, has not provided any care or support for the family.
The ward chairperson of Padhini Rural Municipality-3 confirmed that Rampyari is a resident of the area and stated that efforts have been made to provide her with citizenship. However, he explained that the process can only proceed once she gathers the required documents and complies with the necessary procedures according to the regulations. He further assured them that they would offer the required guidance and support to help her obtain citizenship and resolve any challenges hindering the process.
