Mugu, July 23 -- Seventy-six-year old Chakhulli BK from Dhum Village in Rara Municipality recently received her old-age allowance of Rs 19,000. That amount represented her cumulative monthly allowances for nine months. Her husband, Megya BK, also received the same amount. To get the government allowance, however, the couple had to wait for nine months, they said.

"The only source of money for us is the government allowance. It helps us buy nutritious food, medicine, essentials and clothes," BK said. "Our children do not look after us."

Sher Singh Kami, a disabled person, too depends on government allowance to get by. "The first thing I'll do with the allowance is pay back the loans I had taken in the last nine months and buy kitchen ess...