CM approves hike in ration subsidy

Punjab Ehsaas Programme Chairperson Dr Sania Nishtar and Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi decided on Thursday to expand the scope of the welfare initiative.

Approving an increase in the monthly subsidy per family under the Ehsaas Ration Discount Programme, the CM noted that the deserving families would be able to buy flour, ghee and pulses at 40 per cent cheaper rates from the market. He ordered early launch of the ration discount programme.

While approving doubling of the per capita amount of food for children, girls and elderly living in institutions managed by the social welfare department, the CM said he had taken the decision in order to improve the quality and quantity of food items in the facilities.

The Ehsaas Bill will be presented in the Punjab Assembly soon for legislation, he added.

It was decided during a meeting after the welfare programme's head called on the chief minister that projects would be launched to raise the standard of living of the people of the flood-affected areas.

Stipend will also be paid to pregnant women to prevent stunting.

While issuing directives for the preparation of a housing policy for special government employees, the CM said that a 5% hardship quota would be allocated under the housing allotment policy for them. A quota will also be introduced for differently abled people in the Punjab Government Servants Housing Foundation.

An amount of Rs500 million will be allocated to subsidise persons with special needs in housing societies, the chief minister said.

In his message on Internal Literacy issued on Thursday, the CM regretted that an important department like it was neglected in the past but now, the government will pay full attention to it.

The CM asserted that all possible steps will be taken to impart quality education to out-of-school children.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2022.