Punjab Government starts paying financial aid to flood affected people in second phase

Lahore: Spokesman of Punjab government Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, second phase of financial assistance of flood affectees is being started from November 10 under which Rs.11.72 billion will be distributed among the affectees while Rs.4.30 billion have been distributed in the first phase. In this way, Rs.16 million are being distributed among the flood affectees. He said that payment will be made to the affectees through pay orders for which 59 centers have been set up in the affected districts. He said that duties have been assigned to provincial ministers for monitoring of payment process. He said that federal government has given 50 percent in the assistance of flood affectees and we are thankful to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that on the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister, Rs.10 thousand per family will be given to poor affectees for starting their own business.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Chief Minister’s office today. Senior Member Board of Revenue Nadeem Ashraf and DG PDM Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi were also present on the occasion. Zaeem Qadri said that all phases of distribution of financial assistance have been made transparent and third-party audit has also been conducted so that the right of the deserving persons could be upheld. He said that the process of distribution of relief assistance will be completed within 15 days while committees have also been set up at district level for addressing the complaints.

Giving details of payment of compensations, Senior Member Board of Revenue said that loss of completely destroyed houses has been estimated at Rs.80 thousand and in the first phase, Rs.25 thousand had been paid while Rs.55 thousand more will be provided in the second phase. He said that damage to less destroyed house has been estimated at Rs.40 thousand and a further sum of Rs.15 thousand will be given in the second phase whereas Rs.25 thousand have already been paid. He said that financial assistance at the rate of Rs.10 thousand per acre will be given to one lakh 92 thousand farmers. He said that counters of NADRA and Bank of Punjab have been set up in the centers and the affectees can collect financial assistance through pay order from any branch of UBL, HBL, NBP, MCB and Bank of Punjab. He said that pay orders will remain valid for six months. He said that Punjab government has launched the biggest relief operation of history under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. He said that 286 persons were killed in flood and payment of compensation at the rate of Rs.16 lakh each has been provided. He said that 90600 tents, about two lakh food hampers were also distributed among the flood victims. Similarly, 23 thousand mosquito nets, 25 lakh water purifying tablets and 23 lakh mineral water bottles were also distributed. He said that 1.5 million kg fodder was also given to the livestock of the flood-hit people. He said that funds of two billion 23 crore rupees were immediately provided to DCOs of 16 flood affected districts so that relief measures could immediately be started for calamity-hit people.