Punjab govt to expand ration card programme

Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab government has decided in principle to include an additional 50,000 people in the ration card programme and to conduct a province-wide mapping and data collection of beggars.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Punjab, where matters related to financial assistance for people living below the poverty line were reviewed.

During the briefing, it was shared that more than 1.6 million people have benefited from the ration card, Himmat Card, and Minority Card initiatives. Officials further informed that in the current fiscal year, around 1.4 million individuals will receive monthly financial support through the ration card, while over 200,000 people will benefit through the Himmat Card programme.

The meeting also approved the inclusion of 50,000 additional beneficiaries in the ration card scheme.

The Chief Minister directed authorities to establish proper orphanages for abandoned children and to improve welfare services for women and children.

She also stressed better maintenance and service delivery of wheelchairs and assistive devices, recommending collaboration with credible NGOs.

It was further decided to involve the private sector in the revamping of the “Industries Centre” and to digitalise the system for providing medicines through Zakat funds.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the government’s priority is the welfare and support of ordinary citizens, adding that the social welfare department in Punjab will be transformed on the lines of European countries to make it more public-friendly.

She emphasized that all possible steps will be taken for the rehabilitation and assistance of underprivileged segments of society.