Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday stressed the need for result-oriented utilisation of Rs 3 billion Sindh Social Relief Fund (SSRF) to eliminate poverty from the province. He was presiding over a meeting of secretaries and other officials of government departments to devise a strategy with regard to utilisation of SSRF allocation.
The meeting discussed different proposals including using the funds for regular investment and also the micro financing for providing relief to the deserving persons.
It was felt that since the amount of Rs 3 billion would be earmarked in budget annually under this head, it would need a suitable system on the lines of banking system to regulate the fund. The meeting discussed the basic elements that would play major role in health, education, social welfare and poverty reduction projects.
Sindh Secretary Finance was assigned the task to prepare a line of action for SSRF and present it to the Chief Secretary next week so that provision of funds through SSRF and Zakat department to deserving people could be ensured.
"A stable department on the lines of banks could also be established so that these funds could be utilised for meaningful purposes through investment there, if needed," the meeting decided.
Matters related to credit utilisation and use of loans in agriculture department in Sindh, re-vamping of irrigation, Social Sector Rural Development Program and role of NGOs were also discussed in the meeting.
Board of Revenue Member Anwar Haider, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Mirza Karim Baig, Additional Chief Secretary Development Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Secretary Works and Services Faisal Saood, Secretary Finance Israr Hussain, Secretary Zakat, Usher Sikandar Ali Kerio, Secretary Implementation Nazar Hussain Mahar, Secretary General Administration Abdul Qadir Mangi and other officials attended the meeting.