LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the launch of a ration card and Nigehban Dastarkhwan scheme for the holy month of Ramadan.
An important meeting on Ramadan preparations and public relief was held under her chairmanship. She approved the CM Ration Card, Nigehban Dastarkhwan, Sasta Bazaar facilities, and other administrative measures for underprivileged families, aimed at ensuring timely assistance without unnecessary hurdles.
Under the Ramadan Nigehban Card, beneficiaries will be able to purchase essential items in addition to receiving cash. District administrations will distribute the cards door to door. Cardholders can withdraw cash through Bank of Punjab branchless banking agents and One Link network ATMs, and make purchases from designated vendors.
For card activation, 136 centers have been established, while activation will also be available at Bank of Punjab ATMs. During Ramadan, ration card holders across Punjab will receive Rs10,000 instead of the usual Rs3,000 monthly assistance.
A Ramadan Nigehban dashboard has been set up, along with a counter-checking system through phone calls to cardholders. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the payment process remains simple and convenient.
The meeting approved the establishment of eight “Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam ke Mehman” in every tehsil, where 2,000 fasting individuals will be served iftar daily. Commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and Punjab Food Authority officials will monitor arrangements.
Fasting individuals will be served dates, samosas, milk, Rooh Afza, bananas, and chicken biryani. During Ramadan, 65 Sasta Bazaars will operate in 30 districts, along with permanent and mobile Sasta Bazaars, while temporary Ramadan bazaars will be set up in 11 districts.
Maryam Nawaz directed further price reductions during Ramadan and instructed the establishment of stalls by flour mills, chicken suppliers, grocery merchants, and ghee mill associations.
Addressing the meeting, she said no deserving family should feel alone during Ramadan, stressing that serving humanity brings success in this world and the hereafter. She urged officials to fully commit to public service during the holy month.
She praised deputy commissioners for beautification efforts, directed timely canal desilting across districts, and expressed dissatisfaction over cleanliness conditions in Sargodha, instructing the deputy commissioner to improve performance.