Last Updated on: 10th August 2024, 11:11 am
The budget of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the current fiscal year 2024-25 has been set at Rs. 598 billion. The objective of this budget is to provide quarterly financial assistance to underprivileged families to help them improve their financial situation. Since the launch of BISP, there has been a significant decline in poverty across Pakistan.
A part of this budget, about Rs. 22.5 million is also allocated for the programme’s media outreach.
Expansion of BISP beneficiaries in Budget 2024-25
According to BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid, the Benazir Kafaalat programme aims to lift around 10,000 people out of poverty. If economic conditions improve, these people will be included in BISP along with another 700,000 people currently living in poverty. To accommodate more candidates, dynamic registration has been started with offices being set up at tehsil level.
Besides, NADRA Mobile Registration Man has been launched which provides registration services to residents of cities, towns and villages. After registration, eligibility is checked and those with poverty score below 40 are provided financial assistance. Ms. Rubina Khalid mentioned that the budget can be increased if required.
Also Read: Government of Pakistan to Increase Benazir Kafalat Program Budget by 20%
Dynamic Registration in the Budget of BISP Program
Around Rs. 2 billion (Rs. 74 lakh 40 lakh) has been allocated for dynamic registration within BISP to meet the costs associated with registration of people. The highest expenditure has been recorded on NADRA’s mobile vans which bring registration services directly to people’s homes.
In addition, Rs. 4 billion (Rs. 8.3 lakh) has been allocated for direct financial assistance to the beneficiaries while Rs. 461 billion (Rs. 60.3 lakh) has been allocated for women-specific funds under the sponsorship scheme.
Also Read: Difficulties faced by BISP beneficiaries
Budget allocated to the Scholarship and Nutrition Scheme
BISP has allocated around Rs. 77.18 lakh for scholarships to enable students to access quality education without any financial burden. These scholarships are awarded to hundreds of thousands of students every quarter.
A development programme to combat malnutrition among pregnant women and babies has been launched with a budget of around Rs 42.14 crore. The programme offers scholarships from the onset of pregnancy to the child’s second year. In addition, Rs 70 crore and Rs 60 lakh crore have been allocated for support programmes for persons with disabilities.
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To further reduce poverty in the country, skill development programmes have been introduced. Rs 1 lakh crore has been allocated for these schemes, along with Rs 79 crore and Rs 90 lakh for hybrid social protection and Rs 44 crore and Rs 30 lakh for service payments.