KP CM releases Rs8bn for Ehsas initiatives
These programmes include Ehsaas Nojawan, Ehsaas Hunar, Ehsaas Rozgar, and Ehsaas Apna Ghar (Low cost housing project).
Besides, Provincial Ministers, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Syed Fakhar Jehan, Advisors to KP CM on Finance and Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Muzammil Aslam and Dr. Amjad Ali, administrative secretaries of relevant departments and representatives of partner institutions also attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced the release of Rs. 8 billion for the Ehsaas initiatives in the current fiscal year, with Rs 2 billion earmarked for interest-free loans under each of the four flagship programs.
Similarly, in a significant move to uplift the merged districts, the Chief Minister directed that dedicated and separate funds be allocated for beneficiaries from the merged areas under all four initiatives.
He further instructed that the loan disbursement procedures and requirements be simplified specifically for applicants from these districts to ensure maximum participation and benefit.
He emphasized that the people of the merged districts deserve special attention and efforts must be made to enable as many residents as possible to benefit from these schemes within the current year.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments to also accelerate the loan disbursement process and to further simplify the eligibility criteria for applicants across the province.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the progress, so far made of the programs. It was informed that under Component-I of the Ehsaas Nojawan Program, being implemented through the Bank of Khyber, Rs. 408 million in interest-free loans have been distributed among 139 beneficiaries, utilizing 100% of the allocated funds. An additional Rs. 116 million is required for 52 more approved cases under the same component.
Meanwhile, Component-II of the Ehsaas Nojawan Program, implemented through Akhuwat Microfinance, has also achieved 100% disbursement of its allocated funds. So far, Rs. 602 million in interest-free loans have been disbursed among 3585 beneficiaries, with another 1,745 applications currently under process.
It was also highlighted that Akhuwat has achieved a 100% loan recovery rate under this program, with Rs. 42.88 million recovered to date.
Under the Ehsaas Hunar Program, Rs. 307 million have been distributed among 647 beneficiaries, while an additional 592 cases are currently being processed. In the Ehsaas Apna Ghar scheme, Rs. 200 million have been disbursed among 76 successful applicants through a balloting process.
For the current fiscal year, the eligibility criteria for this scheme have been further relaxed. The monthly income threshold for eligibility has been increased from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. Similarly, maximum limit of covered area has also been extended from five marla to ten marla as eligibility criteria under this scheme.
These reforms reflect the provincial government's commitment to expanding access to welfare and livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth and underserved communities, including those in the merged districts.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
New official sugar prices notified for Karachi
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Sunday issued a new official price for sugar in the city, with a notification now in effect. According to the notification, the new wholesale price for sugar has been fixed at Rs 170 per kilogram, while the retail price is set at Rs 173 per kilogramme. Unjustified hike in sugar prices will not be allowed: Govt All wholesalers, retailers, and departmental stores have been strictly instructed to implement the new prices. Commissioner Naqvi warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the official rate. Sellers of sugar have also been directed to prominently display the new prices. The move is aimed at regulating the market and ensuring the commodity is sold at the government-fixed rate.
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Punjab govt launches ‘smart water plan' for Lahore
LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched an ambitious smart water management plan aimed at eliminating wastewater discharge into the River Ravi and achieving a waste-free water supply for Lahore. The plan includes the construction of six wastewater treatment plants at key outfall locations throughout the city. In the first phase, construction will begin on two major plants: the Babu Sabu plant, with an estimated cost of around Rs 60 billion, and the Kattar Bund plant, with estimated cost of Rs 23 billion. Both projects will be funded by international donor agencies. To discuss these initiatives, Punjab's Secretary for Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health, Noor ul Amin Mengal, chaired a meeting where Lahore Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad provided an overview of the proposed plan. Planning minister apprises World Bank official about India's 'water weaponisation' designs During the meeting, the Secretary stated that once these treatment plants are completed, wastewater in Lahore will be fully reusable, significantly improving water quality. He explained, 'Instead of discharging sewage into the Ravi or canals, the treated water will be repurposed for agricultural use.' He also directed relevant departments to develop a coordinated plan for the agricultural reuse of water and stressed, 'Smart utilization of resources is crucial. Under the direction of the Punjab Chief Minister, we are addressing issues across all districts equally to ensure sustainable development and access to clean water for all.' In a separate meeting, WASA Punjab Director General Tayyab Fareed and WASA Rawalpindi Managing Director Saleem Ashraf provided an update on the master plan designed to revamp Rawalpindi's water and sewerage system. They reported that work is actively underway to develop a comprehensive water supply and sewerage master plan for Rawalpindi under the Punjab Development Programme. A critical component of this plan is the construction of the Chirah Dam, which will add 28 million gallons of water per day to the city's supply. Additionally, WASA Rawalpindi will install surface water treatment plants and develop a modern water distribution network to ensure all residents have access to clean water, as currently only 40 percent of the city's sewerage system is operational. The Secretary emphasized that this coverage would be expanded to 100 percent and that underground water tanks would be constructed throughout the city for efficient rainwater management. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Sizeable business on cotton market
LAHORE: The local cotton market on Saturday remained easy and the trading volume remained satisfactory. Cotton Analyst Naseem Usman told Business Recorder that the rate of new cotton in Sindh is in between Rs 15,900 to Rs 16,300 per maund and the rate of cotton in Punjab is in between Rs 16,200 to Rs 16,450 per maund. The rate of Phutti in Punjab is in between Rs 6,700 to Rs 7,200 per 40 kg and the rate of Phutti in Sindh is in between Rs 6,600 to Rs 6,700 per 40 kg. The rate of cotton in Balochistan is in between Rs 16,700 to Rs 16,900 per maund. The rate of Phutti in Balochistan is in between Rs 6,700 to Rs 7,200 per maund. 2800 bales of Tando Adam were sold in between Rs 15,900 to Rs 16,200 per maund, 1800 bales of Shahdad Pur were sold in between Rs 16,000 to Rs 16,200 per maund, 2200 bales of Sanghar were sold in between Rs 15,900 to Rs 16,200 per maund, 800 bales of Hala were sold at Rs 16,200 per maund, 1000 bales of Hyderabad were sold in between Rs 15,900 to Rs 16,000 per maund, 400 bales of Mir Pur Khas were sold at Rs 16,100 per maund, 800 bales of Fazal Pur were sold at Rs 16,550 to Rs 16,600 per maund, 200 bales of Ghazi Ghat were sold at Rs 16,550 per maund, 1200 bales of Taunsa Shareef were sold in between Rs 16,445 to Rs 16,5550 per maund, 800 bales of Mian Channu were sold at Rs 16,500 per maund,600 bales of Gojra were sold in between Rs 16,000 to Rs 16,100 per maund, 400 bales of Rajan Pur, 200 bales of Shujabad were sold at Rs 16,500 per maund, 1600 bales of Vehari were sold in between Rs 16,100 to Rs 16,450 per maund, 800 bales of Chichawatni were sold at Rs 16,100 to Rs 16,450 per maund,600 bales of Harroonabad were sold at Rs 16,400 per maund, 400bales of Peer Mahal were sold at Rs 16,300 per maund, 400 bales of Toba Tek Singh were sold at Rs 16,200 per maund and 1000 bales of Burewala were sold in between Rs 16,100 to Rs 16,400 per maund. The Spot Rate remained unchanged at Rs 16,300 per maund. Polyester Fiber was available at Rs 330 per kg. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
