Govt okays Rs30b Ramazan relief package

Registration opens in Rawalpindi, ATM cards to be issued after scrutiny

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab provincial government has approved financial assistance under the Ramazan Nigehban Relief Package to include families living below the poverty line, the poor middle class, and low-paid employees in the joys of Ramazan and Eidul Fitr.

Instructions have been issued for province-wide registration of eligible beneficiaries for the online Ramazan package.

Registration will be available both online and through Union Council offices, as well as all offices of municipal corporations and local bodies.

A total of Rs30 billion has been allocated for the Ramazan Nigehban Relief Package.

This year, Utility Stores have been abolished across Punjab, and the system of providing subsidised items through Utility Stores has been discontinued. Similarly, no official Ramazan bazaars will be set up.

However, at locations where weekly Sunday and Friday bazaars are held, traders will establish low-cost facilitation markets on a self-help basis.

The relief amount under the Ramazan Nigehban Package will be disbursed through the Punjab Bank. After scrutiny, beneficiaries whose registration is finalised will be issued ATM cards, through which they will be able to withdraw financial assistance during Ramazan.

The online portal has been activated, and all Assistant Commissioners will directly supervise the process.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has convened an important meeting regarding the Ramazan Nigehban Package later this week, to be attended by heads of all relevant departments.