Punjab Govt committed to ensure relief to affectees: CM
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi Tuesday said the Punjab government would provide help and assistance to all deserving victims under its “Support-a-Family” project so that they could restart normal life. The Punjab Chief Minister visited headquarters of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) here today to coordinate with it for seeking credible and authentic data to initiate support under the “Support-a-Family” project. The Chief Minister said the work on the “Support-a-Family” would be started in December. President Pakistan Muslim League and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Secretary General PML Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed also accompanied the Chief Minister during visit to NADRA. NADRA Chairman Brig. (Retd) Saleem Mahmood briefed the Chief Minister about the availability of data of the affected population of the October 8 earthquake. The Chief Minister has already constituted a permanent and autonomous institution for the implementation of “Support-a-Family” programme in the province. Talking to newsmen here at Punjab House, the Chief Minister giving details of the programme said, priority would be given to those whose family members have died in the devastating earthquake, followed by those who have no bread-earner, disabled, orphans and poor families. The Chief Minister said Rs. 6,000 per month would be provided to 100,000 families to start this programme and it would be enhanced for families according to the need. He said to ensure credibility, honest and effective distribution of funds under this programme, the Punjab government has decided to seek data from NADRA as it would ensure prompt distribution among the deserving victims.
The Chief Minister said a large number of philanthropists and welfare organizations have expressed the desire to actively participate in “Support-a-Family” programme. He said distribution of financial assistance under the programme would be started from already registered deserving living in tent villages and hospitals. The Punjab Chief Minister said Punjab Government would establish permanent liaison with NADRA so that data of the affectees who need support under the “Support-a-Family” programme could be readily available. Pervez Elahi said side by side “Support-a-Family” project, other welfare programmes for calamity-stricken people are also continuing and final shape is being given to the arrangements for providing shelter to 500 children in the provincial metropolis who have been rendered homeless by the quake.
He said Punjab government will provide accommodation, food as well as educational facilities to such children. The Chief Minister said so far the Punjab Government had provided relief goods over Rs. 1.75 billion and it would continue in future. Replying to a question, he said, “Tent preparation in Punjab is at full swing and six to seven thousand tents are being prepared daily”. He said the Punjab government would ensure the provision of more than 200,000 tents before November 30 so that victims could be provided tents before the onset of severe cold in the area. The Punjab Chief Minister said Punjab Government would establish permanent liaison with NADRA so that data of the affectees who need support under the “Support-a-Family” programme could be readily available. Pervez Elahi said side by side “Support-a-Family” project, other welfare programmes for calamity-stricken people are also continuing and final shape is being given to the arrangements for providing shelter to 500 children in the provincial metropolis who have been rendered homeless by the quake.