ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is in negotiation process with World Bank for a new project to strengthen its institutional capacity and launch updation of Nation Socio-Economic Registration (NSER).
The new project would be phased out for four years (2016-20) amounting to US $ 100 million.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has also pledged a grant of US $ 224 million in line with funding of World Bank.
Highlighting achievements of BISP during last two and half years, official sources on Friday said around 10,892 beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) have been trained to make them economically independent through demand-driven vocational training.
In addition, 61,877 family members of BISP beneficiaries have also availed the trainings.
The sources said BISP is committed to providing complete rehabilitation of a beneficiary through vocational training including guidance and counselling, vocational training facilities and vocational and professional training.
The trainings have been given through National Vocational Training and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC), National Center for Rural Development (NCRD), Islamabad, TEVTA Punjab, Motorway Police, Aik Hunar Aik Nagar (AHAN), Trust for History, Art and Architecture Pakistan (THAP) and other similar provincial organisations.
The sources said present government increased its budgetary allocations from Rs 70 billion in 2013 to Rs 75 billion in 2014 which has subsequently been enhanced to Rs 97 billion in 2015 and it has been enhanced to Rs 102 billion in 2016.
The cash benefit increased for poorest of poor from Rs 1000 to Rs 1200 in 2013 and from Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per month in 2014.
Keeping in view inflation fluctuation, the government has increased stipend to Rs 4700 per quarter with effect from July 2015.
The number of BISP beneficiaries increased from 3.73 million in 2012-13 to 5 million by 2015. At present, the number of beneficiaries is 5.29 million.
During this year, (as of March, 2016) total cash transfer amounts to Rs 71.65 billion in two quarters recorded highest disbursement by BISP in a year during last 7 years.
BISP is following path of automation and 94 percent of beneficiaries are being paid through technology. For graduation of BISP beneficiaries, Akhuwat through CM's Self Employment Scheme and Prime Minister's Interest Free Loan (PMFIL) scheme provided interest free loans to 14,481 beneficiaries.
Around 133,285 family members of beneficiaries have also availed micro finance under above mentioned programmes.
Moreover, the sources said, under National Rural Support Programme 17,420 BISP beneficiaries have availed facilities of micro finance and various training programmes and around 801 family members of beneficiaries have also been benefitted.
BISP introduced biometric system for verification of beneficiary's particulars in case of loss of card. Earlier, the beneficiary had to activate her card by call process for verification / activation of new card. Now the beneficiary only give their thumb impression in specified UBL locations numbering 75 all across the country.
For first time in history, BISP has introduced biometric withdrawal system in Larkana, Sindh for 62,000 beneficiaries.
The biometric system for payment has fully ensured women empowerment by deleting the role of middle man.
Design improvements; particularly in payment mechanism have been made to make it more efficient, transparent and user friendly.
Moreover, the BISP board in its meeting held in November, 2015 has given go ahead for a new banking model. New Design/Banking model has been revised and discussion held with all stakeholders including Finance Division, SBP, NADRA, World Bank and commercial banks.
Through new banking model, the beneficiaries would be able to draw the amount by using their CNIC along with biometrics. There will be no more requirement of a non-personalized, bank specific debit card which will ensure that cash grant is directly going to beneficiary women's hand instead of anyone else.
Transaction authentication will take place through biometric verification. This will eliminate the punching of PIN mechanism which proved difficult to our illiterate beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will also have the option of drawing the amount from multiple banks and Points of Sale (POS) in each district.
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