National ID mandatory for health insurance from Poush 1; other services won't be blocked if details aren't yet verified

From Poush 1, a national identity card will be mandatory for new enrolment, renewal and availing services under health insurance. Under a decision taken by the Health Insurance Board on Kartik 12, the requirement will apply to citizens aged 16 and above, who will need to submit their identity card number at the time of enrolment and renewal.

The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration issued a circular on Kartik 16 urging all rural and urban municipalities to coordinate on implementation.

Separately, the Department of National ID and Civil Registration has said that public services will not be held up even if a citizen's identity card details have not yet been verified. In a notice issued on Monday, the department said there would be no problem in obtaining passports, banking and financial services, or driving licences.

The department has asked relevant agencies not to withhold services even if verification is delayed. According to the department, registration of citizens' details and issuance of identity numbers is proceeding as usual. Verification for some citizens who obtained their identity numbers after Asoj 1 has been delayed because of the capacity limits of the automated biometric system.