Chhayanath Rara gives Rs 100,000 each to two intercaste couples

Chhayanath Rara Municipality in Mugu has provided a total of Rs 200,000 — Rs 100,000 each — to two couples who married across castes, as an incentive.

Mayor Bishnu Kumar Bham and Deputy Mayor Aishwarya Malla handed over cheques to both couples at a program held at the municipality office on Thursday.

The amount was provided under the municipality's Dalit Act, 2080. The municipality introduced the provision with the aim of ending caste-based discrimination and untouchability while promoting social equality and harmony.

Those who received the amount are Bikram Bahadur Nepali and Pavitra Chaulagain, and Man Singh Nepali and Sarita Sejuwal. Both couples are residents of Jhakot and Tharpu villages within the municipality.

Mayor Bham emphasized the need to create an environment where all citizens can live with equal rights and dignity. Deputy Mayor Malla said that along with legal provisions, a change in people's mindset is also necessary to end caste-based discrimination.

According to the mayor, the municipality has been running this program since fiscal year 2080/81. Municipal data shows that four couples within the municipality have married across castes so far.