SATV, Kathmandu, Aug. 29: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has expressed concerns over reports that individuals, groups and organisations are raising funds for the support of people affected by the Bhote Koshi floods in Rasuwa and Nuwakot by publishing unauthorised QR codes and personal details.
"The PMO has noted that while financial support is being gathered from various sectors for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for citizens affected by the floods in Rasuwa, serious concern has been raised regarding individuals, groups, and organisations collecting money by publishing unauthorised QR codes and personal account details indiscriminately," Spokesperson of the Office Hemraj Aryal said in a notice published on Friday.
The PMO has also appealed for caution when providing financial assistance for flood victims.
To prevent potential financial fraud and to ensure the transparent usage and proper management of contributions during this difficult disaster situation, the government has urged one and all to verify the name of the accounts into which financial support is being deposited.
"Make sure that the account name strictly reads Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Disaster Relief Fund or PDPU before making any financial contributions to the official accounts and QR codes released by the government," read the notice.
Those who want to make an inquiry or obtain further information, they can contact the PMO at Singha Durbar, Hello Sarkar or National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).
'Use card payment from abroad'
The PMO informed that individuals staying abroad can use card payment gateways via dedicated online payment links (pmdrf.nchl.com.np or pmrelieffund.himalayanbank.com) or by scanning the provided NCHL and HBL card payment QR codes.
Likewise, users of Alipay+ (along with 12 interoperable wallets) and UPI-India can scan domestic QR codes linked to the fund, which include Fonepay QR codes - supporting both Alipay+ and UPI - and NepalPAY QR codes which support Alipay+ only.
Similarly, UPI-India users can remit funds using the cross-border P2P fund transfer option within UPI-enabled Indian banking applications. Global transfers can be made via SWIFT through internet banking or by visiting a local bank branch, ensuring the account name for all accounts is set to Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.
International remittance services such as GME, Remitly, Wise, TapTapSend, or other domestic remittance partners can be utilised to remit funds directly to the designated Nepali Rupee (NPR) accounts.
Designated Bank Accounts and Domestic QR Options
SWIFT transfer accounts for the PMDF are available across multiple banks in Nepal. Account numbers in Nepali Rupees (NPR) include:
Rastriya Banijya Bank (1130100003762001 / 1130100000006006, SWIFT: RBBANPKA),
Nepal Bank Limited (00211600510039000003 / 00200100510039000001, SWIFT: NEBLNPKA),
Agriculture Development Bank Limited (0100201002907014, SWIFT: ADBLNPKA),
Everest Bank Limited (00100105200270 / 00101102200012, SWIFT: EVBLNPKA),
Global IME Bank (00401010000057 / 00411010000005, SWIFT: GLBBNPKA),
Nabil Bank (1710017505285, SWIFT: NARBNPKA),
Standard Chartered Bank (01013243801 / 02013243801, SWIFT: SCBLNPKA),
Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd (1628885410110925, SWIFT: LXBLNPKA), and
Himalayan Bank Ltd (12005631210039, SWIFT: HIMANPKA).
Additionally, Himalayan Bank Ltd offers a US Dollar (USD) account (01905631210045, SWIFT: HIMANPKA).
According to the PMO, for domestic QR payments, Fonepay QR codes are linked to Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd, Nepal Bank Ltd, Agriculture Development Bank Ltd, Everest Bank Ltd, Nabil Bank Ltd, Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd, and Global IME Bank Ltd., while NepalPAY QR codes are available for Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, Laxmi Sunrise Bank Ltd, and Agriculture Development Bank Ltd.
