Disbursement of relief funds begins

NOWSHERA: The first phase of disbursement of relief funds under the Ehsaas Programme to poor families affected by the coronavirus lockdown kicked off here on Thursday.

Briefing reporters, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan said that around 28,000 deserving families were being given Rs12,000 per month in the first phase under the Ehsaas Programme at 26 designated points in the district.

He said that the sale points would be expanded to 40 and the financial help would be extended to 80,000 needy families and daily wagers in the second and third phases.

The official said that at the moment they had a data of 40,000 poor daily wagers and deserving families while as many needy people were under verification process to get the relief cash through this digitalised programme. The DC said that the staff were working day and night to prepare the lists so the deserving people could get the relief package at their doorsteps.

He appealed the people to follow government instructions and stay home to contain the spread of fast-travelling viral infection. A budget of Rs144 billion had been approved for the programme and the daily wage earners affected by the corona pandemic are the government’s top priority.