Subsidies: ‘Khidmat Cards to be launched this month’

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday the Punjab Khidmat Card programme would be launched later this month.

He said in the first phase of the programme, a monthly subsidy will be paid to more than 1 million people from low-income households.

He said Rs3 billion had been budget for the first phase ending in June. He was addressing a meeting to review progress on the programme. The chief minister said improving living standards was a top priority of the government.

He said the Khidmat Card programme would reduce the financial burden on low-income families. He said they would be provided direct monthly subsidy.

He said the name of the head of the family receiving the subsidy and his identity card number would be mentioned on the Khidmat Card.

He said that the scope of the programme would be expanded next year. The chief minister directed officials to collect data of families that could benefit from the scheme. The chief minister said the programme should operate along the pattern of the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund.

He directed the committee headed by Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan to submit final recommendations in this regard within seven days.

Ministers Bilal Yasin, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Advisor Ijazun Nabi, MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha and the chief secretary were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2014.