LAHORE, Mar 13 (NNI): Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza has announced that a special package has been prepared to provide free flour (Atta) to the downtrodden segment of society during the holy month of Ramazan, a first-of-its-kind scheme aimed at facilitating the poor and providing them a big relief.
The package was approved at a 10th Punjab Cabinet meeting held here on Monday while Punjab Chief Minister was in the chair.
The Punjab Cabinet approved providing free flour to “the poorest of the poor” under a special Ramadan relief package of Rs 53 billion. The federal government will assist the province in order to provide relief to common people who are facing history’s worst inflation.
Under the relief package, flour bags will be given free to families with income below Rs 60,000. A family will be able to get three bags of 10 kg flour each for free during Ramadan against one ID card.
It is estimated that about 1.5 million families and 100 million individuals will benefit from the free flour package.
The meeting was further apprised that about 90 percent of the population of Punjab will be able to benefit from the free flour package. Free flour will be available at certain grocery stores, trucking points and utility stores.
The supply of free flour under the special Ramadan relief package will be started from 25th Shaban and will continue till 25th of Ramadan month.
Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the cabinet meeting also directed to increase stores and trucking points for supplying free flour across the province. He added that super stores should also be obliged to set up special counters to provide free flour.
Punjab Information Technology Board has developed software for providing free flour under special Ramadan relief package.
The meeting was told that families registered under the Benazir Income Support Program will be able to get a special package of free flour.
Unregistered families will also be able to get free flour after registering themselves on the phone.
The chief minister also directed Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, RPOs, and DPOs to monitor the free flour supply program in their respective districts during the month of Ramazan.
Special instructions have also been passed to the concerned circle to initiate a comprehensive awareness campaign of the special Ramadan relief package of supply of free flour.
Syed Mohsin Naqvi said that the Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police and administrative machinery will be present in the field for the success of this noble cause. “Everyone has to work day and night for the success of this program.”
Mohsin Naqvi added that it is also a national responsibility and a great opportunity to gain the blessing of Allah.
Earlier, Secretary Food briefed the Cabinet about the features of the Free Flour Supply Program under the Special Ramadan Relief Package.
Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police and secretaries of relevant departments participated in the meeting. NNI
