Implementation of Ehsaas programme reviewed

PESHAWAR: A meeting on Wednesday reviewed the implementation status of various programmes under the Ehsaas umbrella.These programmes include Ehsaas Apna Ghar, Ehsaas Naujawan, Ehsaas Hunar and Ehsaas Rozgar scheme.

Provincial cabinet members concerned and senior officials attended the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, said a handout.The chief minister has directed the relevant administrative secretaries to take full ownership of their respective programmes including, Ehsaas Apna Ghar, Ehsaas Nowjawan, Ehsaas Hunar and Ehsaas Rozgar scheme.

The chief minister emphasized that special teams be formed at the departmental level to further improve the implementation of these programmes. Departments must ensure timely execution and progress of their respective programmes as per the stipulated timelines and accelerate the process of loan disbursement under these initiatives. Ali Amin Gandapur said that these were welfare projects of the provincial government and any delay in their implementation will not be tolerated. He directed that the programmes be extensively promoted through social media so that maximum people can benefit from them. Furthermore, the chief minister directed that all districts of the province be allocated quotas in proportion to their population, and the inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, youth, and the transgender community in these programs be ensured.

During the meeting, the authorities concerned were briefed on the progress made so far in implementing the programmes. They informed that two different components of the Ehsaas Nojawan Programme have been launched. The first phase of the Ehsaas Nojawan Programme, with a cost of one billion rupees, is being implemented through the Bank of Khyber. Under this programme, a total of 9,976 loan applications have been received, and so far, Rs 110 million have been distributed among 47 youth clusters, while 120 cases are under scrutiny.

The chief minister instructed that the process of handling cases under this program be made simple and brief, and stressed that clear progress should be visible within the next week. Authorities further informed that the second component of the Ehsaas Nojawan Programme has been launched in collaboration with Akhuwat at a cost of two billion rupees. So far, Rs 200 million have been disbursed, benefitting 1,390 deserving individuals with interest-free loans from various districts. The process of providing interest-free loans to an additional 2,600 applicants is underway. The chief minister directed that another Rs 200 million be released immediately for the programme.