Punjab government approves 'CM Punjab Insaaf Imdad Package'

The Punjab government has approved Chief Minister Punjab Insaaf Imdad Package worth Rs10 billion.
It was approved during a meeting was held here on Monday that was attended by provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Mian Aslam Iqbal and Hashim Jawan Bakht, Punjab Chief Secretary, Senior Member of Board of Revenue, Planning and Development Board Chairman, Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure), secretaries of finance, information and P&D departments, and Chiarman Punjab Information and Technology Board.
On this occasion, the CM directed the officials concerned to launch the package at the earliest for distribution of financial aid among the needy families and added that Rs 4000 will be given to 250,000 deserving families. He said financial grant under this package will be in addition to the relief package given by the federal government for daily wagers.
Giving detail of the package, he said that applications will be received online and after the verification the money will be transferred online while complaints will also be received online. He directed the officials concerned to further simplify the application form, only necessary information like names, CNICs and mobile phone numbers of the applicants be collected.
Meanwhile, in a separate meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar announced that doctors and health professionals engaged in the treatment of coronavirus patients will be given one month additional salary.
The meeting held here to review latest Coronavirus situation in the province which was attended by Corps Commander Lahore Lt-Gen. Majid Ehsan, Rangers Punjab DG Maj-Gen. Muhammad Amir Majeed, Punjab Chief Secretary, IG Police, Senior Member of Board of Revenue, Planning and Development Board Chairman, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and high level civil and military officials.
He told the meeting that the Punjab government will also give incentives to the heirs of doctors, health professionals and employees died during the anti-coronavirus campaign under Shuhada Package. He pointed out that Punjab is the only province where The Punjab Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention Ordinance 2020 has been enforced which has helped the administration and health department to take steps for controlling the virus.
He stated that Rs 12 billion has been given to the health department and added that new testing labs are being set up. "Section 144 is enforced in the province and very sensitive areas have been locked down. Similarly, SOPs have also been formulated to trace people who remained in contact with the affected patients," he added
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced that wheat harvesting will start in April and the government has also increased wheat quota for the flour mills. He also announced that 5000 metric ton of wheat is being given to KPK province daily. "The wheat will be procured from farmers at the rate of Rs 1400 per maund," he added.