Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) has proposed to enhance the 'food subsidy package' (FSP) from Rs 2400 to Rs 8400 per household annually to cover full-year wheat expenditure of an average family, which would require an amount of Rs 7.5 billion.
Sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that currently the PBM under its Food Support Program (FSP) supports 1.25 million households across the country with annual budget of Rs 4.38 billion by providing four months' wheat expenditure to an average household.
The program was launched in 2000, targeting 'poorest of the poor' in the country to provide relief keeping in view the increase in wheat price. The program is being executed in collaboration with Pakistan Post Office and provincial governments.
Sources said that at present, the annual budget of FSP is Rs 4.38 billion, which would be increased to Rs 7.5 billion with the increase in the annual food subsidy to the deserving households. They said that the government has also approved an additional package namely 'Child Support Program' (CSP).
This package includes an additional cash incentive of Rs 200 to the beneficiary family having one child and Rs 350 to the family with two or more children for sending them to school.
Sources said that in the first phase of CSP, five districts-one from each province including Bakhar, Tharparkar, Kohistan, Kharan, Ghanchey-will be covered with additional budget of Rs 120 million.
It is also learnt that the Federal Food Steering Committee (FFSSC) had approved 'Manual of operational guidelines' in its meeting held on January 4.
The task of revising Food Support Program beneficiaries has been assigned to Population Census Organisation (PCO) and the program will start from this year.
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