Debunking Rumors: Governance Roadmap Committee Proposes Social Security Reforms

Biratnagar. There is widespread discussion on social media suggesting that the government led by Balendra Shah is planning to raise the age for receiving social security allowance to 75. However, this proposal did not originate from the Balen government, but rather from the Governance Roadmap Committee formed by Prime Sushila Karki on Poush 14.

The committee, formed to address challenges in state mechanisms and public service delivery following the Gen-Z uprising on Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082, submitted its report to the government on Chaitra 3, 2082.

The 13-member committee's report concludes that Nepal's social security system needs restructuring and proposes several bold and rigorous measures. It interprets the proposal to raise the old-age allowance eligibility age to 75 as a scientific and mandatory step.

The report expresses serious concern over the burden on the state treasury, noting that in the fiscal year 2081/82, the government spent over 20 percent of its total budget on social security, excluding expenditures by provincial and local levels.

Regarding the proposal to increase the age for social security allowance, the report states on page 652: 'Increase the age for receiving social security allowance to 75. Considering the rising average life expectancy, the retirement age for civil servants should also be gradually increased to 63.'

The committee also pointed out significant irregularities in agricultural subsidies, noting that 'paper farmers' often misuse input-based grants. It recommends shifting to an output-based model to provide cash incentives based on production rather than machinery.

The report presents 10 key points for transforming social security, including creating a National Integrated Social Registry, implementing a 'software-based automated scoring system' to remove human interference, and ensuring all beneficiaries are linked to the National ID card to prevent double-dipping.

The committee emphasizes that while the report highlights structural weaknesses and proposes a roadmap, implementing suggestions like raising the old-age allowance age and increasing the retirement age for employees will require significant political courage.