Rs100b earmarked for Ehsaas Ration scheme

Initiative aims to provide for 8m needy families across Punjab

LAHORE:

To reduce the burden of spiralling inflation on the lower income strata of society, the Punjab government has launched the subsidised ‘Ehsaas Ration Rayat Program’, at a cost of Rs100 billion.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Punjab Ehsaas Program Chairperson Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, former Federal Minister Monis Elahi and Advisor to the Chief Minister Umar Sarfraz Cheema launched the subsidised ration program on Sunday.

The CM visited the Bismillah General Store in Shadman Market, which is registered under the program, for the launch.

He highlighted that the provincial government will provide basic rations, including wheat flour, pulses, cooking oil and ghee, to eight million needy families across the province at an estimated cost of Rs100 billion. These basic commodities will be provided at a rate 40% lower than the market, through a network of registered grocery stores across the province. The government is considering including other commodities under the scheme, he added.

CM Elahi added that as per the vision of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the government will expand this targeted subsidy scheme to every corner of the province. He highlighted that the government already registered the flood-affected population of three districts in the scheme. During the first hour of the program’s launch, over 80,000 citizens of Punjab have attempted to register under the scheme. The registration process will remain active for two weeks.

The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of program chairperson Dr Sania and underscored that this targeted subsidy scheme will benefit the population in need. Initially, the government allocated Rs100 billion for the scheme, which would be increased if required.

Dr Sania highlighted that enrolment under the Ehsaas Ration Program has started and the head of a needy family could SMS their CNIC number to 8123 to register the entire family under the scheme. Registration is also possible through the Ehsaas Program website.

There is no need for a smartphone for the registration process.