In Badin, agents continue to exploit BISP beneficiaries

BADIN:

Despite efforts to curb malpractices, illegal deductions ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 persist on the quarterly stipends provided to deserving women under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in rural Sindh.

The issue extends beyond Badin city, with illegal deductions reported during stipend disbursement in smaller towns such as Matli Talhar, Tandobago, Golarchi, Karyo Ghanoor, Pangrio, Nando, and Khoski.

Many rural women, lacking literacy and familiarity with ATM operations, fall victim to exploitation by individuals lurking around banks during BISP payments. These agents charge exorbitant fees merely for operating the ATM machines on behalf of the beneficiaries.

Residents of Badin lamented that various parties, including police officers, bank guards stationed at ATMs, agents, purported journalists, camerapersons, social activists, and members of political and social organizations, are complicit in these illicit activities.

Furthermore, mobile phone franchise operators and holders of mobile wallet devices revealed facing coercion to facilitate illegal deductions, ultimately benefitting agents associated with law enforcement and extortionists posing as journalists or social workers.

Some franchise holders, weary of ongoing exploitation, admitted to providing devices to racketeers, including policemen, journalists, and social activists, to evade further blackmail.

Critics attribute the rampant embezzlement of funds allocated for impoverished women to governmental policy failures, as well as the apathy and incompetence of individuals entrusted with BISP disbursement. The systemic flaws exacerbate the plight of vulnerable beneficiaries, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reform and enhanced oversight within the program.