Japan to provide $990,000 for social protection project: Zobaida
By Bushra Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Zobaida Jalal Thursday said that Japan through World Bank will provide US $ 990,000 for preparation of Pakistan’s Social Protection Project (SPP).
Chairing the 9th meeting of Federal Food Support Steering Committee held here, the Minister said that it is holistic and broad based project which aims to support chronically poor households, protect poor from adverse shocks and promote investment in human and physical assets.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Social Welfare andSpecial Education, Rasool Bakhsh Baloch, Joint Secretary Ministry of Finance Muhammad Younis, Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Brig. (Retd.) Muhammad Sarfraz and other senior officials.
Zobaida Jalal reiterated the government’s commitment toimprove the condition of the poor in the country and to work pro-actively for poverty reduction and human resources development.
She said that the top priority of the project is to reach tothe poorest by enhancing existing cash and conditional cash transfers. Social Protection is one of the key pillars of Pakistan’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, she added.
The meeting also discussed Food Support Program (FSP) of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and decided to frame policy matters, rules and regulations for implementation and smooth functioning ofthe programme.
Managing Director Bait-ul-Mal briefed the meeting about FSPand said that it was a social safety net targeting poor est of the poor to provide relief. He said that FSP was started in 2002-03 with an annual subsidyof Rs. 2000 in two biannual installments of Rs. 1000 each to 1.25 million poor families through post offices countrywide.
During 2003-04, the government had increased the rate ofannual subsidy from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 2400 in two biannual bringing the budget from Rs. 2.5 billion to Rs. 3 billion, he added. However, in 2005-06, Brig (retd) Sarfraz said the rate ofannual subsidy was further increased to Rs. 3000 per year with an enhanced coverage of 1.46 million households.
Brig. (retd) Sarfraz said that the government has also linked FSP with Child Support Program with effect from financial year 2006- 2007 with additional cash incentive to FSP beneficiary.
Managing Director said We are giving Rs. 200 per month tofamily with one child and Rs. 350 per month to the family with twoor more children for sending their children to the schools.
In pilot phase, five districts including Bhakkar, Tharparkar,Kohistan, Kharan and Ghanchey are being covered with additional budget of Rs. 120 million. Later, the Minister appreciated the role and achievements of PBM toward poverty alleviation.