The government has unveiled a boosted social security budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, allocating Rs2.27 billion to the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security. Presenting the federal budget on Friday, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle announced a major expansion of welfare programs aimed at uplifting Dalit communities, persons with disabilities, women, and marginalized groups.
A headline feature of the new budget is the doubling of the child nutrition allowance for Dalit children under five to Rs1,000 per month. Backed by a Rs3 billion allocation, this scheme is moving from a 25-district pilot to a nationwide rollout, utilizing direct bank transfers to reach eligible households. While public health experts have welcomed the expansion, they have raised serious implementation concerns, citing a history of weak monitoring, fund misuse at the household level, and a lack of tracking for actual child nutrition outcomes.
Meanwhile, the monthly senior citizen allowance remains unchanged at Rs4,000, despite previous high-level recommendations to raise the eligibility age to 75. Experts note that while inflation has eroded the real value of this cash support, parallel government steps to expand health insurance and geriatric care are positive moves.
Beyond financial aid, the newly announced budget outlines a holistic social roadmap. The government plans to launch nationwide campaigns against deep-rooted social evils like caste discrimination and chhaupadi, establish provincial rehabilitation centers, and build model schools for children with autism. Additionally, a new initiative aims to integrate gig workers into the formal social security system, marking a progressive shift toward comprehensive welfare coverage.
