Action launched against Ramazan aid extortion
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LAHORE:
On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, action has been launched against those involved in extorting money from the beneficiaries of the Ramazan package.
During the action in Kasur, Bhakkar and Gujranwala, three suspects were arrested and the agents involved in the illegal business were blacklisted.
In Kasur, Bilal, who illegally took Rs500 of the amount of Rs10,000 under the Ramazan package was arrested. The police sealed a mobile phone shops and a retail outlet in Bhakkar, registered cases against suspects and confiscated the machines used in the transactions.
Taking strict notice of incidents of extorting extra money from the beneficiaries, the chief minister had directed the police and administration to launch a crackdown against the violators under the law.
She said, “Those who grabbed illegal money from the poor and needy do not deserve any leniency.”
She appealed to the recipients of the Ramazan package to immediately call the relevant toll-free number in case of any complaint.
She said the Punjab government was providing cash to the deserving people through digital technology to save them from standing in the long queues.
Tax deduction
The government has also barred banks from deducting taxes on financial assistance disbursed under the Ramazan Package for underprivileged citizens, following complaints from beneficiaries.
The decision comes after several citizens reported that banks were levying a Rs1,000 tax on their payments. In response, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza convened a meeting on Wednesday with senior executives from leading commercial banks and financial institutions along with Additional Deputy Commissioner General Muhammad Shojain Vistro.
The DC expressed strong disapproval of the deductions and emphasised the need for transparency in the distribution process. He directed the banks to ensure that the recipients received the full financial support intended under the Ramazan Package, without any unwarranted tax deductions.
As a result of the discussions, officials reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing financial relief during Ramazan. Raza reiterated that all payments under the package would be exempt from taxation, ensuring that beneficiaries received their full entitlements.
Housing scheme
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting to review issues related to the three-Marla free plot scheme besides the provision of loans to beneficiaries for building their own houses.
She directed the authorities concerned to improve and rehabilitate the previous 23 schemes of the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) in 19 districts, and directed them to take immediate steps for the release of funds for the purpose.
The chief minister said, “There is a lot of concern about providing roofs to homeless people. It gives me great pleasure to see people’s houses being built under the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme.”
Earlier, the PHATA director general gave a detailed briefing about the progress made so far on the housing programme.
He said repayment of loans under the programme had begun. “The repayment rate of loans taken under the programme is 100 per cent,” he added.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed that 9,661 houses were nearing completion in ten province under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme.
She directed the PHATA authorities to ensure that the target sent for the ongoing month was met.
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