Public welfare: BISP budget increased by Rs65b: Marvi Memon

New survey to be launched after Ramazan to identify those in need of income support

SUKKUR: Keeping in view the miseries of the poor, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government has increased the budget of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from Rs40 billion to Rs105 billion.

BISP chairperson Marvi Memon announced this while addressing the beneficiaries of the programme on Tuesday afternoon.

Blaming the previous Pakistan Peoples Party-led government, she said that the BISP survey in 2008 was done on political basis, due to which thousands of poor people were left behind. In 2010, another survey was launched, which was completed in five years. The survey identified 5.2 million people who were in need of income support, she explained.





The PML-N government has increased the stipend by Rs200 per quarter and now the beneficiaries will get Rs4,700 per quarter instead of Rs4,500, she announced.

After Ramazan, a new pilot survey will be launched in 16 districts of Pakistan, including Sukkur, Jacobabad and Thatta. For this purpose, the old beneficiaries will be required to reapply, she said, stressing that this time the survey will not be conducted under any kind of political influence.

The new survey will be computerised to minimise errors. Besides, monitoring teams will be hired to oversee the work of the teams to ensure transparency. “We have tried to cover all loopholes,” she said.

This pilot survey will be completed in three months and next year another survey will be conducted in the remaining districts of Pakistan.

According to Memon, the PML-N wants to provide rights to the poor people of the country. “We endeavour to keep the process free from any politics and, therefore, all efforts are being [made] to ensure transparency,” she claimed.

Replying to a question about the Panama Papers controversy, she said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for forming a judicial commission to probe into the matter. So, she said, we have to wait and see instead of demanding resignation from the PM.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2016.