Kathmandu- The Supreme Court has issued a three-point directive order in the name of the government, dismissing the writ petition filed against the government’s decision to make the national identity card mandatory in a phased manner.

On 24 Jestha, 2081, the government had decided to make the national identity card mandatory for renewal of social security allowance in 28 districts from 1st Shrawan in the first phase. In the second phase, it had decided to make the national identity card mandatory in 38 districts from 1st Magh and in all the remaining districts from 1st Shrawan in the second phase. Five writ petitions were filed in the Supreme Court against that decision. The Supreme Court, putting all the writ petitions together, issued the order by a full bench of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman and Nripadhwaj Niraula.

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to expedite the distribution of national identity cards at points near the citizens’ residences. In the directive order, the Supreme Court said, “The hassle, inconvenience and difficulty faced in the delivery of public services due to the lack of a national identity card should be ended.”

Court has ordered the establishment of stations for the collection and distribution of national identity card details in public service delivery bodies.

The Supreme Court has ordered the scientific recording of national identity card details to prevent unauthorized use or misuse of personal information. The Supreme Court has also ordered the National Identity Card Management Information System and other bodies that provide services using the National Identity Card or Identity Card number to conduct a security audit and secure the electronic details of individuals. The Supreme Court has also ordered the development of policy, legal, and structural arrangements to ensure the protection of privacy.