LAHORE - Spokesman of the Punjab government Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, second phase of financial assistance of flood affectees is being started from November 10 under which Rs 11.72 billion will be distributed among the affectees while Rs.4.30 billion have been distributed in the first phase.
In this way, he said Rs 16 million are being distributed among the flood affectees.
He said that payment will be made to the affectees through pay orders for which 59 centers have been set up in the affected districts.
He said that duties have been assigned to Provincial Ministers for monitoring of the payment process.
Addressing a Press conference at Chief Minister’s office on Sunday, he said that the Federal government has given 50 per cent for the assistance of flood affectees and we are thankful to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that on the special instructions of the Punjab Chief Minister, Rs 10,000 per family will be given to poor affectees for starting their own business.
Senior Member Board of Revenue Nadeem Ashraf and DG PDM Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi were also present on the occasion.
Zaeem said that all phases of distribution of financial assistance had been made transparent and third-party audit has also been conducted so that the right of the deserving persons could be upheld.
He said that the process of distribution of relief assistance will be completed within 15 days while committees have also been set up at district level for addressing the complaints.
Giving details of payment of compensations, Senior Member Board of Revenue said that loss of completely destroyed houses had been estimated at Rs 80,000 and in the first phase, Rs 25,000 had been paid while Rs 55,000 more will be provided in the second phase.
He said that damage to less destroyed house has been estimated at Rs 40,000 and a further sum of Rs 15,000 will be given in the second phase whereas Rs 25,000 have already been paid.
He said that financial assistance at the rate of Rs 10,000 per acre will be given to 1.92 lakh farmers.
He said that counters of NADRA and Bank of Punjab have been set up in the centers and the affectees can collect financial assistance through pay order from any branch of UBL, HBL, NBP, MCB and Bank of Punjab.
He said that pay orders will remain valid for six months.
He said that Punjab government has launched the biggest relief operation of history under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
He said that 286 persons were killed in floods and payment of compensation at the rate of Rs 16 lakh each has been provided.
He said that 90,600 tents, about two lakh food hampers were also distributed among the flood victims.
Similarly, 23,000 mosquito nets, 25 lakh water purifying tablets and 23 lakh mineral water bottles were also distributed.
He said that 1.5 million kg fodder was also given to the livestock of the flood-hit people. He said that funds of two billion 23 crore rupees were immediately provided to DCOs of 16 flood affected districts so that relief measures could immediately be started for the calamity-hit people.