Likes, dislikes would not be tolerated in disbursement of social security funds

CM directs concerned quarters to evolve mechanism for proper utilization of social security funds
Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has directed the quarters concerned to devise a sustainable model to ensure utilization of social security funds in a better, efficient and meaningful manner, with the aim to financially empower the deserving segments of society.
He has decided in principle to arrange collective marriage program of 4000 deserving females from across the province and directed the concerned authorities to complete homework in this regard. Under the program, a grant of Rs.2 lakh per girl would be provided from the dowry fund for this purpose, the chief minister added. He was chairing a meeting, held here at Chief Minister’s House Peshawar on Friday to discuss the status and utilization of Social Security Funds.
MNA Dr. Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Social Welfare Nazar Hussain Shah, Special Secretaries to Chief Minister Waqar Ali Khan, Masood Younis and other relevant officials attended the meeting. The Chief Minister has directed the concerned authorities to collect the actual data of deserving girls from all the districts and to provide quota in proportion to the population of each district, so as to ensure that the decision regarding mass marriage program is implemented in an efficient and transparent manner.
“We need to have an efficient scrutiny mechanism in order to ensure that the only deserving girls are selected for that program”, he said and directed that members of the committees to be formed at Village Council level, should be selected purely on merit for this purpose.
He made it clear that political recommendations or personal likes and dislikes would not be tolerated in the disbursement of social security funds, adding that in case of any kind of corruption, misuse or fraudulent, concerned authorities would be held accountable. “Each and every penny of Zakat funds must be spent on the wellbeing of needy and poor people, giving priority to orphans, widows and persons with disabilities”, he directed.
The chief minister also directed them to provide standard electric wheelchairs to the needy persons with disabilities, adding that the persons already registered with the department, should be given priority in this regard. He further directed to ensure representation of at least three female members in every forum of Zakat Committees. He on this occasion, agreed to the proposal regarding creation of Philanthropic Contribution Fund, and said that he would like to launch this poor friendly initiative by contributing to the proposed fund.
The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to come up with the draft of necessary amendments in the relevant legal framework in order to implement the reform initiatives decided in the meeting. He further directed the elected public representatives to visit the Panahgahs and other social welfare centers and submit reports of facilities being provided in those centers. “These segments deserve our special attention, and we need to give them sense of trust and ownership”, he remarked.