The Punjab government, in principle, has decided to revive all district Bait-ul-Maal committees next month to ensure provision of financial assistance to destitute, orphan and other down trodden segments of society.
Secretary Social Welfare, Women Development and Bait-ul-Maal Shah Nawaz Badar in an exclusive interview with APP here on Sunday said these committees after its expiry of term were non functional for the last couple of years and needy people could not be financially assisted timely. He said when the matter was brought to the knowledge of the chief minister, he directed to reactivate district committees throughout the province on priority.
He said according to by-laws of Bait-ul-Maal, financial assistance could not be given to any deserving person without proper and concrete recommendation of the respective committee. He said all divisional commissioners, district co-ordination officers, officers of Social Welfare, Women Development and Bait-ul-Maal and other dignitaries had been directed to recommend names of people with high integrity and excellent repute in their areas for members of the committees.
He said that before induction in district committees, their names would be properly got cleared and scrutinised by the intelligence agencies besides seeking their willingness.
Shah Nawaz Badar said all committees would work direct under provincial Bait-ul-Maal Committee headed by "Amin" appointed by the government for a period of three years.
He said: "we are also working on strengthening and capacity building of existing old age homes and establishment of three more such homes in Punjab" which will cover Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Narowal, Toba Tek Singh and Sahiwal.