Daily Times

Punjab Social Protection Authority under Punjab Ehsaas Programme Saturday launched ‘Nai Zindagi’ and ‘Punjab Human Capital Investment Project’ at a cost of Rs 53.25 billion.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar attended the launching ceremony. He said that under Punjab Ehsaas Programme, launch of these projects is of great importance. He said that Punjab Ehsaas Programme is the first step towards materializing the dream of “Riyasat-e-Madinah”. “Caring behaviour is a base of humanity and humanity makes us realize the need of establishing a welfare state like Riyasat-e-Madinah, where, people can get access to all facilities without any discrimination besides providing relief to the poor, oppressed segment and deserving class of the society.”

He further stated that the feelings of the disenfranchised and underprivileged segment of the society were being hurt and their genuine demands were also being ignored in the past. Time has come to give equal rights and to fulfil the needs of the deprived classes of the society. People deprived of social protection are the responsibility of the welfare state, Usman Buzdar mentioned.

He said under “Nai Zindagi” programme treatment facilities would be provided to the men and women suffering from acid attack besides rehabilitation of such patients. Social rights of acid attack victims should be safeguarded besides providing them with dignified living opportunities. Usman Buzdar said that government will bear complete treatment expenditures of the acid victims. He further maintained that state-of-the-art burn units have been set up at Jinnah & Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur, Nishtar Hospital in Multan, Allied Hospital in Faisalabad and Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi. He said that that interest free loans for providing skills and self-employment will be arranged to the affected people. Usman Buzdar said that initially, Rs. 20 crore has been allocated for Nai Zindagi Program. He further stated that acid attack victims will be the sole responsibility of the state.

He said that Punjab Human Capital Investment Project is the best and unique project of its kind. Under this project government will provide the best health and education facilities as well as opportunities for economic development to the people in 11 backward districts of Punjab. In the first phase the project will be launched from Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur, whereas the scope of this project will be extended to Rajanpur, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar and Mianwali in the second phase.

Project Human Capital Investment will be launched in Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Layyah and Khushab in third phase. 166 Basic Health Centres will be upgraded in Punjab. He said that 17 Basic Health Centres will be upgraded to BHU Plus besides setting up 166-OTPS centres. He further informed that 1148 additional staff members will be appointed for ensuring health services round the clock in these health centres. He said that Electronic Medical Record (EMR) will be started in 669 Health Centres.

A Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is being launched for 564,000 deserving people. He said after childbirth destitute women will get financial aid of Rs. 16000 for the two years. Waste Management System will be introduces in nine districts of Punjab. Under Human Capital Investment Project, special attention has been paid for solving the financial problems of poor and needy families. Under this programme training, small loans, support and guidance for the employment will be provided to the parents and adult children.

With this step more than 75,000 young people will be able to earn their livelihood. Classrooms of 3400 schools across the province will be upgraded under Early Child Hood Education whereas training of leadership will be imparted to 2800 head teachers. Teachers will be specially trained to teach young children. Reading corners will also be established to inculcate reading habits among children. More than one lakh students would be benefited from Early Child Hood Education. Usman Buzdar further stated that new projects would be introduced in the next three years for the welfare and betterment of the people of the province. He said that we are not the rulers but servants. Usman Buzdar said I am sure that the condition of the people who have been suffering from backwardness from the years will definitely change now.