Citizens in the southern region of Humla are being forced to spend up to around Rs. 20,000 just to obtain a national identity card. Residents of Adanchuli, Tanjakot, Sarkegad, and Changkheli rural municipalities have been facing financial and physical hardship as they are required to travel all the way to the district headquarters, Simkot, to receive the card.
The national identity card has increasingly become mandatory for government services, social security allowances, banking transactions, and other administrative work. However, due to the ineffective distribution system, people in remote areas have been suffering greatly, locals complain.
Last year, during July–September, the government had gone to the villages and collected details free of cost, which made citizens hopeful. After photographs and fingerprinting were done in the villages themselves, people expected that the identity cards would also be distributed locally. However, they have now been told that they must travel to Simkot to collect the cards, causing further difficulties for residents of remote settlements.
From the southern areas, some people must use vehicles to reach Simkot, while many are forced to walk for several days. Including transportation, food, accommodation, and other expenses, locals say the round trip costs one person between Rs. 10,000 to 20,000.
Elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged families are the most affected. Ratania Jaishi, a senior citizen from Rodikot-7 of Sarkegad Rural Municipality, said she was initially happy that services had reached the village, but the requirement to go to Simkot to collect the card has created even more problems. “We were told that after making the national identity card, banking work would become easier. We had our photos taken and fingerprints recorded in the village itself. We thought the card would also arrive in the village,” she said, “but now we are told we must go to Simkot ourselves to collect it. Such a journey is not possible for elderly people like us.”
Lal Kesh Bhandari, a youth from Adanchuli Rural Municipality–2, said that the lack of the national identity card is affecting banking transactions and other services. “Without the card, work gets delayed. If people have to suffer so much for a single document, how can poor villagers access state services?” he said.
He also demanded that the government arrange for cards to be delivered directly to rural municipalities. “Services are becoming more difficult instead of easier under the name of improving access,” he added.
Although it is possible to generate national identity card numbers from the data collected last year, many citizens have not been able to receive their numbers due to errors in their details, according to locals.
Manasara Rokaya from Tanjakot Rural Municipality said she is facing financial difficulties due to the national identity card process. “Our family’s economic condition is weak. My children are studying. A bank account requires a national identity card. Hearing that I have to go to Simkot to collect it already makes me anxious,” she said.
Local citizens have urged the government to make the distribution system more accessible and convenient, along with the decision to make the national identity card mandatory. Although there is discussion about expanding services in remote districts like Humla, in practice, citizens are still forced to endure expensive travel, financial burdens, and hardship to access basic services.
Chief District Officer Tek Kumar Regmi stated that the distribution of national identity cards is being carried out in accordance with the Government of Nepal’s policy. He also informed that preparations are being made to allow cards to be collected through relatives as well.