Zubair Qureshi
In order to create awareness among masses on Ehsaas Rashan programme, Special Assistant to PM Sania Nishtar, has begun visit to smaller cities and towns along the Grand Trunk Road.
In the first part of her tour, Sania visited Rawat, Mandra, Gujar Khan, Sohawa, Dina and Jhelum.
The visit is aimed to guide Kiryana merchants in small areas about the Ehsaas Rashan enrollment process and the programme modalities.
“This week, I shall visit 30 small cities to speak to Kiryana retailers and public. This is important to guide people on the ground about the new programme, encourage them to participate in the programme and factor in their voices in the delivery”, commented Dr. Sania.
While talking to Pakistan Observer on Saturday, a spokesperson of the Ehsaas Programme said during the visit, Dr Sania walked in the mini markets on the GT Road and met with the Kiryana merchants, local trader associations and public.
She herself enrolled several Kiryana owners on the portal at various sites, the spokesperson said adding Dr. Sania was accompanied by senior officials of the National Bank of Pakistan, Ehsaas and district administrations of Rawalpindi and Jhelum.
She also spoke to local trader associations and youth in the rural suburbs of Rawalpindi and Jhelum and made an appeal to them to help Kiryana merchants and low-income families in online registration.
At the NBP branch in Jhelum, she also joined a meeting with local Kiryana retailers, local media and NBP team.
She briefed that the authorized Kiryana retailers having bank accounts will download ‘mobile Point of Sale’ App in their cell phones through which they will be able to ascertain the eligibility of the eligible buyers to deliver the subsidy.
She also informed that the government would give 5-8% commission to Kiryana retailers on Ehsaas’ subsidy amount and there will also be a quarterly lucky draw to give away cars, motorcycles, mobile phones and various other prizes to best Kiryana performers.
Under the Ehsaas Rashan programme, a subsidy of Rs1,000 a month will be granted to 20 million eligible families on the purchase of flour, pulses, cooking oil.
Per unit purchase, a 30% subsidy will be given on these three commodities. In the current fiscal year, the budget of the programme for the next six months is Rs120 billion under the federal and provincial cost sharing arrangement.
