Government Allocates Rs 120 Billion for Social Security, Vows Street Children-Free Nepal

Kathmandu — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has announced various plans and allocations for the women, children, gender affairs, and social security sector through the budget.

Wagle said Dalit-focused investment will be increased in an integrated manner, including activities for preserving the Dalit community's traditional skills, income generation, and technology upgrading. He said Rs 3 billion has been allocated for nutrition support for Dalit children under five across the country.

The Finance Minister said the martyrs of the Gen Z movement have been honoured and dignified financial support for the martyrs' families has already been ensured. He said free health treatment, a monthly allowance according to the severity of injury, and entrepreneurship development programmes will be run for those injured in the movement.

He said physical structures, digital technology, websites, and software built by government offices will increasingly be developed in formats usable by persons with all kinds of disabilities.

Wagle said disability rehabilitation centres will be established in all provinces, and a model residential school with proper infrastructure will be operated targeting children with autism.

The Finance Minister said gig workers will be brought within the scope of formal labour and social security.

He said Rs 120 billion has been allocated for social security to provide protection from risks that may arise at various stages of the life cycle.

Wagle said an integrated bill on the prevention of gender-based violence will be drafted.

The Finance Minister said street children and senior citizens will be reunited with their families and socially rehabilitated in collaboration with provincial and local governments, and that Nepal will be declared a street children-free nation.

He said a national campaign against untouchability and discrimination will be run to build an equitable, civilised, and cultured society. Social transformation campaigns will be run from all three tiers of government to end social ills such as child labour, gender-based violence, sexual abuse, chhaupadi, menstrual discrimination, and child marriage.

Wagle said a social integration programme will be run for the dignified living of the gender and sexual minority community.

He said a livelihood improvement programme will be run at the local level for women's entrepreneurship development.

The Finance Minister said Rs 310 million has been allocated for the infrastructure and management of child correction homes.

He said funds have been allocated for the air rescue of life-threatened pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in remote areas.

The Finance Minister said a total of Rs 2.27 billion has been allocated for women, children, and gender and sexual minorities.