The Planning and Development Board has arranged a signing ceremony of addendum to agreement between the Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project, National Rural Support Program, Institute of Rural Management at P&D Complex, office.
The Project Director Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Program, Muhammad Saghir signed the addendum while Chief Executive Officers Dr. Rashid Bajwa and Ruoomi S. Hayat from NRSP and IRMA was also present at the ceremony. Chairman P&D Board, Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh and Secretary P&D also graced the event. On the signing ceremony, Chairman P&D Board, Hamed Yaqoob Shiekh briefed about the role of P&D in achieving province’s goals. He said that projects like these are always on the priority of Punjab Government to relief its public through framing and implementing innumerable effective strategies. Furthermore, on the occasion, Secretary P&D Board, Imran Sikandar Baloch also mentioned that it is the responsibility of current government to ensure that the people of Punjab are provided with best financial and social supports especially to the compromised class. Muhammad Saghir Project Director SPPAP also discussed the importance and benefits of these initiatives to the people of Southern Punjab, at the ceremony.
The purpose of these agreements is to reduce poverty in most deprived districts of Southern Punjab. PKR. 6 Billion would be utilized during next 2.5 years to improve the livelihoods of most families living below poverty line of the targeted districts. With the financial assistance of International Fund for Agricultural Development and under the administrative control of the Government of the Punjab, the project will deliver 100000 goats to the 50000 poor women, 3000 low cost houses will be constructed for ultra-poor families and ownership will be given to women of the household. 752 small scale need base schemes will be constructed in rural areas. Apart from this, Vocational trainings will be arranged for 10000 poor beneficiaries with special focus on youth and women. To boost the agricultural production for small farmers/tenants, small loans will be granted on subsidise rate. Likewise, modern agriculture equipment will also be delivered under this project during next 2.5 years.