Kathmandu : As high as 200,000 individuals have joined the contribution-based social security scheme implemented by the government since two years back. According to the Fund, a total of 13,765 employers have been affiliated to the scheme.

As stated by the Fund, the number of people participating in the Fund from Bagmati Province is the highest with 149,614 followed by 20,433 from Province No. 1. Likewise, 814 individuals from Sudurpaschim and 521 from Karnali Province have participated in the Fund so far.

Similarly, more than 8,200 firms have participated in the Fund from Bagmati Province while the number of firms joining the Fund is lowest in Karnali Province with 147. So far, the Fund has collected Rs 5.27 billion. Likewise, altogether 2,018 beneficiaries have claimed almost Rs 700 million in cash.

Spokesperson of the Fund Bibek Panthi said that the number of contributors and employers is gradually increasing adding that the Fund is working to bring in more and more workers from formal and informal sectors in the social security scheme. Similarly, the Fund is revising some of its schemes to encourage the contributors towards its programmes.

Now, the contributors would get special lending, educational loan, housing loan and others. Executive Director of Fund Kapil Mani Gyawali said that second amendment to its procedures is made to make the Fund relevant and contributor-friendly by considering its sustainability after receiving the feedback from employers, labourers and stakeholders.