ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr. Sania Nishtar Wednesday said that the registration process for the newly launched Ehsaas Rashan Riayat Program will continue till December 10.
Addressing a news conference along with President National Bank of Pakistan, Arif Usmani, Dr. Sania said that the Ehsaas Rashan Riayat program has been launched to provide relief to the general public through providing subsidy on the essential grocery items on the special instruction of the Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
This program, being executed through complete transparency, would help mitigate the sufferings of the people due to the recent wave food inflation, driven largely by rising prices in the international market.
The program would provide overall subsidy of Rs. 120 billion to the 20 million families through providing Rs. 1000 subsidy per family on the purchase of flour, pulses and cooking oil or ghee.
The program has been approved by the federal cabinet following all the rules and regulations and would be executed in partnership with National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in transparent way. “It is a matter of pleasure for me that we are working with our national bank to implement this program”, she said.
She commended the efforts of NBP staff who is working enthusiastically across the country which she personally observed during her visit to the 25 cities of the country.
About the registration process, Dr. Sania said that the grocery merchants having accounts in NBP can only register through the web portal. “The grocery merchants will be given commission on the sale as well as prizes through lucky draw in order to compensate them for the time and energy they will utilize for serving beneficiaries”, she added.
The members of households having less than monthly income of Rs. 50,000 can register through the 8171 SMS service through sending their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number. “The intending beneficiaries should register from the mobile number having SIM registered on their CNIC”, she stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, President NBP, Arif Usmani said that NBP was established to work with the government to facilitate general public.
He said that NBP partnering with the flagship program of the government will distinguish the NBP. “The staff NBP at any corner of the country will be available to deliver its services at this difficult time, the country is facing”.
He said that Dr. Sania has emerged as a symbol of transparency during the present government tenure and NBP is comfortable and confident in working with her.
Responding to a question, Dr. Sania said that our priority is to run this program successfully and transparently, the amount of subsidy or the quantity of grocery items can be increased at any time through single policy decision.
About ensuring the quality of grocery items, Dr. Sania said that the buyers will be able to purchase the selected grocery items of any quality on subsidized rates.
Earlier, the SAPM, Dr. Sania Nishtar also shown an informational video on Ehsaas Rashan Riayat Program.
