The Benazir Income Support Programme Board, under the Ehsaas framework approved inclusion of all transgenders in Ehsaas Kafalat programme.
On Monday, in the 50th meeting, the government’s social safety net ‘Ehsaas’ approved to include all transgender people in the country in its financial assistance. A board meeting of the social welfare programme gave approval to the move according to which all transgender people holding valid CNICs will be brought into the fold of Ehsaas Kafalat.
At least Rs 2,000 per month will be given as stipend along with savings bank account. Transgenders usually live as a separate community; all transgender people in a household will be declared as Kafalat beneficiaries.
Among the other important decisions, the Board further approved establishment of 154 district level Ehsaas Centers modelled on the One Window Ehsaas Center in Sitara Market in Islamabad.
This will enable all services to be accessed under one roof, greatly facilitating beneficiaries. Work in will be started immediately.
Moreover, besides inclusion of transgenders, in an effort to encourage girls enrolment in secondary and higher secondary education, Ehsaas stipends for girls will be Rs 4,000 per quarter as compared to boys who will get Rs 3,500 per quarter. Programme design enables all payments to be made biometrically to mothers of enrolled children.
Read more: Transgender persons to be paid monthly stipend by Punjab govt
While speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr. Sania Nishtar said, “According to Ehsaas strategy post-COVID, the secondary and higher education stipends will empower low-income households with improved access to education till 12th grade.”
Meanwhile, the Board also gave approval for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Utility Stores Corporation for Ehsaas Targeted Subsidy programme. The approval for the budget 2021/22 was also granted on the recommendation of the Finance committee.
Many other decisions related to operations were taken.
