Khotang. The beneficiaries of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality have been facing problems due to the change in the bank. Salpa Bikas Bank has been distributing five out of 10 wards in the past due to the change of bank for them.

Salpa Bikas Bank has decided not to distribute allowances in wards 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 from this fiscal year. Nabil Bank in Ward No. 8, Dorpabuwalung and NIC Asia Bank in Ward No. 11, Kharmi have agreed to distribute social security allowance, but the agreement has not been reached, according to the municipality.

An agreement was reached between the municipality and the bank on July 15. Spokesperson Dinesh Ghimire informed that a letter was sent to the bank in writing on August 10 as the banks did not come for implementation.

The beneficiaries have been forced to return to Diktel to open their accounts as the bank has not been finalized to distribute the social security allowance provided by the state. The banks that distribute allowances have also been facing more problems after the bank implemented the mandatory national identity card to open a new account for the beneficiaries of the wards.

Gyan Bahadur Rai, a 78-year-old beneficiary of Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-11, Kharmi, lamented that he was facing difficulties in enjoying the services provided by the state.

National identity cards have not been made mandatory for persons with disabilities, senior citizens above 90 years of age and children below 16 years of age. However, all the banks operating in the district have made national identity card mandatory for social security allowance and banking transactions.