Sajid Irfan

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is planning to introduce a revised system of payment to make the process easier for beneficiaries. The BISP has disbursed billions of rupees among deserving people through banks and other mediums. The beneficiaries often complain about problems in receiving money from prescribed banks and distribution centres.

A spokesperson for the BISP told WealthPK that the BISP has distributed almost Rs70 billion among flood victims and Rs1 billion in loans for business activities to low-income people. He said the BISP is planning to adopt a redesigned payment system under which the beneficiaries will be able to get funding directly through a bank of their own choice, which will ensure transparent cash disbursement mechanism.

Many people have complained about banks regarding the distribution and receipt of money. They keep standing outside banks in long queues to get the money. The majority of beneficiaries are elderly and widows. It is difficult for them to wait for long in front of the banks and other distribution centres.

The spokesperson said the BISP board discussed the organisation’s structural reforms and approved policy for inclusion of the transgender community as beneficiaries of Benazir Kafalat Program.

“The BISP board has also approved an assistance package for employees who die during service which includes a one-time grant of Rs2 million for employees in grades 1 to 8, Rs5 million for employees in grades 9 to 16 and Rs7 million for employees in grade 17 and above,” the spokesperson added.

He said the BISP board also took decisions for the structural improvement of the program which includes up-gradation of five districts of Balochistan province with a large number of beneficiaries. It also approved structural reforms for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan regions.

He said that BISP is striving to enhance the financial capacity of the poor and their dependent family members, formulate and implement comprehensive policies and targeted programs, reduce poverty and promote equitable distribution of wealth, especially for the low-income groups.

The spokesperson said the BISP is providing financial assistance and other opportunities, such as education, vocational training, skills development, welfare program, livelihood program, health insurance, accident insurance and access to micro-finance. He said the number of the BISP beneficiaries is increasing every month, as inflation is hovering around 26% at the moment and the government is trying to bring it down to 18 to 20%.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk