Identity issue: BISP to launch biometric system: Marvi

Effective tests planned in Larkana; new survey needed.

ISLAMABAD: Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme (BISP) has decided to introduce biometric system this year for the identification of its beneficiaries.

BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon while talking to The Express Tribune said the biometric system for withdrawing BISP grant would be introduced across the country after effective tests in Larkana.

Sixteen districts would be surveyed this year and the rest of the country would be covered before the general election of 2018, she said.



She said the last survey was conducted five years ago and there was a need to conduct a new survey, as such surveys have validity of five years.

BISP awards financial support of Rs4,700 to 5.2 million beneficiaries on quarterly basis via Benazir Debit Card (BDC) said Marvi. There has been a lot of talk about fake beneficiaries of BISP and irregularities in payment of financial support.

Diverting the payment system to biometrics will eradicate the role of middleman, she said. Many BISP beneficiaries were illiterate and unable to operate ATMs. For this simple task, she said, opportunists charge a fee from simple folks.

The biometric system will allow beneficiaries to draw their sums from ATMs without any hassle, she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2016.