Punjab governor Khalid Maqbool has said the government has put in place mechanism to keep prices of essential commodities under control and measures have been taken in this regard to avoid problems for general public.
"Government was fully concentrating on provision of facilities of health, education, pure and clean drinking water and employment opportunities to general public living in all parts of the country," he said.
He was addressing cheque distribution ceremony under a micro-credit scheme managed by the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi and Bahria Town.
The governor said billions of rupees were being distributed among needy people through Baitul Mal, Zakat fund, food support programme and Khushali Bank, with the sole aim to guide people towards prosperity.
He said the government was monitoring prices and in line with directives of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz flour was available at Rs11.50 per kg and sugar at Rs23 per kg at utilities stores.
He said more utility stores would be opened in various districts to facilitate common man.
The governor said more philanthropists should come forward to extend financial support to the poor people, especially, women so that they could stand on their own feet and realise their potential.
The governor said economic situation had changed for the better due to government policies over the past five years. He called upon all segments of society to help the government in achieving its objective of ensuring progress and prosperity for all.
Speaking on the occasion, advisor to prime minister on women development Nilofer Bakhtiar said the ministry of woman development was playing proactive role in improving the lot of women.
She said the ministry under a Rural Women Support Programme of Rs 100 million had initiated micro-credit schemes in Gwadar, Chitral and Tharparkar to help women in starting their own businesses. The scheme would be extended to Sheikhupura and Gujranwala, she added.
This year, she said, the government increased the grant for the programme to Rs 200 million to facilitate people and give more relief. She said her ministry was considering to set up a skill development centre in collaboration with public and private sector organisations.
The centre would impart marketing and technical training to women so that they could be more productive and better run their businesses.
The advisor said the number of women crisis centres would be increased from 10 to 20. These centres were providing relief to women who were victims of violence and were in need of shelter and financial and legal assistance.
Earlier, the governor and advisor distributed cheques of Rs10,000 to Rs30,000 among 130 persons.
The interest-free credit scheme was financed by Bahria Town, which had so far given Rs 8.3 million during the last 15 months. Bahria Town had pledged Rs 10 million for the scheme.
Comments
Comments are closed.