Govt adds 50000 beneficiaries to ration card scheme

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a key meeting where Secretary Social Welfare and Baitul Mal Saira Umar presented updates on ongoing programmes.

The briefing highlighted strong progress in supporting the needy across the province. Currently, one lakh poor minority members receive Rs10500 every quarter through minority cards. Over 16,000 people got 16 types of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, under a special initiative. In addition, the Chief Minister’s Dhi Rani Program organized 5,000 mass marriages, helping couples from low-income families.

More than 1.6 million people benefit from ration cards, Himmat cards, and minority cards in a short time. Moving forward, over one lakh special persons received financial aid via Himmat cards, with plans to assist 2 lakh more this financial year. Furthermore, 1.4 million individuals get monthly support through ration cards.

Maryam Nawaz issued clear orders to hit 9,000 marriages under Dhi Rani and include more families. She directed teams to offer cleaning and repair services for wheelchairs and devices. In addition, establish steady care for abandoned children in orphanages.

She called for partnerships with trusted NGOs to help women and kids, private sector involvement to upgrade facilities, and branding of display centres. Digitalize medicine distribution from Zakat funds for efficiency.

In a big step, leaders approved adding 50,000 more people to ration cards via the Maryam ko Batayn programme. They also plan to gather and map beggar data province-wide. Maryam Nawaz stressed full aid for those below the poverty line, aiming to make Punjab’s Social Welfare Department as friendly as European models. Her goal: rehabilitate the deprived through targeted support.