KATHMANDU: The government has postponed its earlier decision requiring beneficiaries of social security allowances to submit their national identity card.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday directed the Home Ministry to continue its activities without requiring the national ID card from the beneficiaries. This decision was made due to the difficulties caused by recent natural disasters.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma explained that the requirement for the national ID card has been suspended temporarily because heavy rains, floods, and landslides have made it challenging for citizens to obtain the card.

Previously, the government had issued a notice in the Nepal Gazette mandating the national identity card for accessing all public services.

The cabinet meeting also decided to extend the tenure of the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Nepal (CIEDP), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission until mid-July 2025. Minister Sharma stated that an order will be published in the Nepal Gazette to remove any obstacles to extending the deadlines of both the commissions.

Additionally, the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding to be signed between Nepal and the Government of China on "Strengthening the Development Cooperation in Building the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network."