The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved first phase disbursement of Rs75 billion from Prime Minister's Relief Package of Rs200 billion under "Mazdoor Ka Ehsaas Programme" for targeted payments to daily wagers affected by the lockdown in the country following outbreak of coronavirus.
The ECC meeting chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh was informed that the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase to 18 million from 12 million in the fourth category of low-income group, and as per decision, disbursement of Rs12,000 to each person would be made using the Ehsaas disbursement mechanisms under a programme: "Mazdoor Ka Ehsaas Programme".
The meeting was informed that for this purpose, a fourth category in addition to already existing three categories in "Ehsaas Kifalat" would be created, and standard filters/checks of Ehsaas programme would be applied for identification of the beneficiaries.
The ECC has been informed that after the filtration up to six million low-income people were expected to benefit under the planned 4th category, in addition to the 12 million labour population, already targeted through category 1-3 of Kifalat.
The ECC was informed that "Mazdoor Ka Ehsaas Programme" was aimed at extending much-needed support in the current situation to the low-income labour/daily wagers mostly involved in activities such as loaders, cleaning staff, contract employees, piece-rate workers, self-employed street vendors, construction workers, painters, welders, mechanics, carpenters, domestic help, drivers, etc.
The ECC also asked the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Poverty Alleviation and Social Sector Development Division (PASSD) to jointly work out comprehensive mechanism and modalities to ensure a transparent and efficient disbursement of the support to the deserving people.
During the meeting, the ECC on two separate proposals approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs606 million for 19 projects to be implemented by the Government of Balochistan for fiscal year 2019-2020 and another technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs7 million for purchase of spare parts for helicopter maintenance by Frontier Corps, Balochistan (North).
The ECC also approved release as government loan of Rs1.3 billion in the current financial year and Rs3.85 billion per annum during the next three years for settlement of the outstanding liabilities of litigants in the case involving the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
On a proposal by the Ministry of Commerce, the ECC approved notification of the Export Policy Order, 2020, and the Import Policy Order, 2020, in consolidated form as per the Law Division's recommendations for the convenience of the business community.
The ECC also approved a proposal by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD for approval of the budget proposal for the year 2019-2020 and revised budget estimates for 2018-2019 of the EOBI.
The ECC, on a proposal by the Ministry of Climate Change, approved exemption from the Re-lending Policy of the government in respect of a $188 million World Bank IDA for the Pakistan Hydromet and Ecosystem Restoration Services Project.
The ECC also accorded in principle, its approval to a proposal by the Ministry of National Health Services for provision of Rs150 million funds as grant in aid/seed money for Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, the ECC asked the secretary Finance and secretary Health to jointly work out modalities for the arrangement of funds.
On a proposal by the Ministry of Industries and Production seeking a supplementary grant of Rs288 million for payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, the ECC asked the Finance Division and the Industries and Production Division to sit together and resolve the issue.
The ECC also considered a proposal by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding arrest of the PNSC ships in South Africa on account of alleged claims of M/s Coniston against the Pakistan Steel Mills Ltd and asked the finance secretary to engage with the PNSC and PSM, and seek opinion of the Law Division, if necessary, to resolve the issue having ended up in litigation.