Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi inaugurated the Punjab Ehsaas Rashan Riayat Program in Lahore.
As per the sources, the scheme will cost Rs 100 billion rupees to provide food at an affordable price to eight million families.
Speaking at the event, the Punjab Chief Minister said that under the initiative, low-income families will be able to buy flour, ghee, oil, and beans from the registered grocery store at a 40% discount.
To avail of the facility, people can register themselves by sending their computerised national identity card (CNIC) numbers on 8123.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi vowed to provide additional funding for the Punjab Ehsaas Rashan Raiyat Program in the future, addressing it as an outstanding initiative for providing relief to the deprived groups in society.
Addressing the gathering, CM Punjab appreciated Dr Sania Nishtar, chairperson of the programme, for day and night working to make the Ehsaas Ration programme a success, continuing that the benefit of the targeted subsidy goes to the common man and primarily Punjab government had assigned Rs 100 billion for the programme and if needed, the amount would further be increased.
He pointed out that the Ehsaas programme had been acknowledged across the globe and providing assistance to the poor people was the vision of the Punjab government.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Basharat Raja, the Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs stated that the Punjab government would also get a bill approved for ‘Kafaalat’ of those living below the poverty line.
The event was also attended by Former Minister Moonis Elahi, Chief Secretary Abdullah Sumbal, Adviser to CM Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Commissioner Lahore, secretary information, secretary P&D and other related officials.
Back on July 27, previous Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan directed the Punjab government to restore Ehsaas programs in the province. He issued directives to Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi-led provincial government for the restoration of Ehsaas programs, including health cards and Panahgahs (shelter homes).