Maryam opens ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ model house

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Wednesday inaugurated a model house of the provincial government’s ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme here. She also launched a portal of the programme, acag.punjab.gov.pk, where people could apply online to benefit from the scheme. Helpline number for the scheme is 0800-09100, where people could call and seek information.

The CM visited the model house and thoroughly inspected its every part. She also inspected various stalls related to the house construction.

Addressing the ceremony held at Ashiana Quaid, she said Punjab is taking lead in every sector. The entire government machinery is working vigorously. “I am working continuously for 16 hours a day and also undertaking monitoring of every scheme.”

The CM added, “Under Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme, those getting loans would have to pay a maximum instalment of Rs14,000 per month. No interest will be charged on getting a loan; neither there will be any hidden charges nor any service charges.”

She said the Punjab government was going to launch one of the biggest solar panels project in the province’s history. The Punjab government would pay Rs15 lakh loan, and no interest would be charged. The loan would be paid off in seven years and Rs14,000 would be the monthly instalment, she added.

Separately, CM Maryam met a delegation of officers of the 7th Civil Service Training Programme of Sindh. She told the members, “I have given relief to people in electricity bills of Rs45 billion; I would have given more relief had the funds permitted.”

She said, “What is wrong in paying people’s bills with people’s money? I will be pleased the most if people of Sindh also get relief.”

The CM said, “We should try to emulate Sindh in good things, and Sindh should also replicate the many good things we are doing for public welfare. If a good work is being done in a province, there is no problem in adopting it.” Maryam Nawaz said, “I have a relationship of respect with Murad Ali Shah; everyone is equal in the meetings. Mohammad Nawaz Sharif connected the provinces with each other by building a motorway. CPEC is also for the entire Pakistan.”

The CM said any change was not possible overnight, “but we should try our best”. She said 100 per cent postings were being done on merit in Punjab, adding that “I have angered my own people, but did not compromise on merit.”

Maryam said: “I have told the administration that legitimate tasks of the members of assembly and the people must be done, but they must not do any illegal work of anyone.” She said corruption could be eradicated through digitisation. She believed that digitisation would globalise the system; people sitting abroad would also be able to access government services.

The CM said, “Ghost schoolteachers and enrolment may have been done in the past, but now we are changing the education system.” She added that ‘Panic Button’ would be extended to the whole of Punjab. The trainee officers in Sindh appreciated the visionary and innovative ideas of CM Maryam Nawaz and gave her a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz congratulated athlete Bano Butt on winning semi-final of the Mixed Martial Arts Asian Championship.

She also expressed grief over the death of three people in an accident at Bahawalpur Dera Bukha Toll Plaza.