Punjab government has received Rs 2 billion from the Federal government as matching grant for initial payment of Rs 20,000 to each flood hit family so that they could start the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction, PML (N) leader Pervez Malik, MNA told Business Recorder on Thursday.
Malik said that Punjab government and the Federal government have deposited Rs 4 billion in the United Bank to launch the smart cash card "Watan Card" with effect from 9th September 2010. It may be added that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has already approved the issuance of 'Smart Watan Card' prepared by Nadra to ensure transparency in providing financial assistance to the flood affectees across the country.
The Watan Card will be issued to 20 million flood affectees with the co-operation of the provincial governments. The Watan cards are like the ATM cards. Malik said that distribution of Watan Card for payment of Rs 20,000 has started in Punjab in the Laiyya and Bhakkar districts, which braved the brunt of the super floods in river Indus last month.
Addressing the flood affected families in Dera Ghazi Khan on Thursday senior advisor to Chief Minister Sardar Zulfikar Ali Khan Khosa said that the provincial government would not rest till rehabilitation of all calamity hit families. He distributed Eid Package gifts among 62 uprooted families of the district.