Senate body calls NGOs over staffing rules

Recommends establishing BISP centres in well-known and easily accessible locations

ISLAMABAD:

Expressing serious concerns over their staffing policies, a Senate panel on Friday summoned non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the Ministry Poverty Alleviation.

It also asked the Finance Division to explain why poverty alleviation departments cannot hire people on contractual basis despite field-oriented operations requiring flexible workforce arrangements.

The Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety met on Friday to deliberate on a wide range of budgetary and regulatory matters concerning the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, was attended by Senators Rubina Qaim Khani, Abdul Shakoor Khan, Dost Ali Jeesar and Jan Muhammad.

A 20 percent decrease in stunting among children in Balochistan was reported. The BISP chairperson urged that all eligible children be registered under the same initiative.

It was informed that any child with a score of up to 60 would qualify for inclusion in the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.

The committee was briefed that 80 BISP centres are currently operational across Balochistan.

However, it was observed that several BISP offices are functioning from private accommodations, making it difficult for the public to locate them. It was therefore recommended that BISP centres be established in well-known and easily accessible locations.