KATHMANDU, MAR 18 - The government is all set to distribute special ID cards to conflict victims (with disabilities and physical injuries) from next week to systematise their access to state facilities and other rights.

These ID cards mentioning the individual’s ‘disability percentage’ are also expected to resolve problems arising from lack of organised identification system meant for the disabled population. Currently, multiple organisations—such as the Social Welfare Council, Ministry of Local Development and the Home Ministry—are issuing ID cards

to persons living with disabilities, thereby creating unnecessary confusion.

These cards, however, will be distributed to those who were injured or disabled during the conflict period only: From Feb. 13, 1996 when the Maoists waged a rebellion against the establishment to Nov. 21, 2006, the date of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The new system will benefit not only those conflict victims who have already received benefits, but all the 4,305 people disabled during the conflict. The government has already distributed compensation to over 400 conflict victims for physical injuries without issuing them the ID card.

Besides benefits like free treatment for physical damage, each person with disability will receive up to Rs. 200,000 as lump-sum compensation. On the basis of the victims’ disability percentage, to be determined by a separate medical board under the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction (MoPR), their children will get scholarships. For instance, a person with disability in one hand will be issued ID card showing 50 percent disability and will be entitled to half compensation and education scholarship to his/her three children up to the age of 18.

“We have completed all preparations. The local government bodies, VDCs and municipalities will start issuing ID cards to eligible candidates,” said Ganesh Upadhyaya of the relief unit under MoPR. “Once the victims get the cards, they will use them to claim other state facilities through the Social Security Programme because the compensation we are providing now is just an interim relief.”

The government also aims to use these cards for distributing compensation to victims as per the recommendations of the proposed commissions on truth and reconciliation and disappearances.

relief distributed so far

Deaths    : 12,500 (Rs. 1.25b)

Disappearances    : 1,027 out of 1,207 (Rs.120m)

Abductions    : 221 (Rs.5.5m)

Property loss    : 1,032 (Rs.75m)

Posted on: 2010-03-18 12:00

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