LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Sohail Shoukat Butt chaired an important meeting to review progress on the Dhee Rani Programme, Himmat Card initiative, and assistive devices & wheelchair programme.
Director General Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Punjab Dr. Shahanshah Faisal Azim and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on progress regarding the verification of applications, selection of beneficiaries, ceremonies and administrative arrangements for 5,000 collective marriages planned under the Dhee Rani Programme this year.
Sohail Shoukat Butt directed officials to ensure that applications received under the programme are verified strictly on merit and through a transparent process so that genuinely deserving families can benefit from the initiative.
He also instructed the department to ensure the timely preparation of ATM cards for Dhee Rani beneficiaries through the Bank of Punjab, enabling them to receive their cash gifts without facing any difficulties.
The minister further directed officials to ensure that upcoming collective marriages are organised transparently and on merit based on applications received through the relevant mobile application.
The meeting also reviewed the budget and other matters related to the Himmat Card programme. The minister ordered that problems faced by persons with disabilities in obtaining Himmat Cards and accessing related facilities be addressed on a priority basis, with maximum relief provided to eligible beneficiaries.
Progress on the assistive devices and wheelchair programmes was also reviewed during the meeting.
Sohail Shoukat Butt directed divisional directors of the Social Welfare Department to complete preparations for Dhee Rani events scheduled for the coming months well in advance and ensure the availability of all necessary facilities.
The provincial minister said the Punjab government was taking practical steps to make public welfare programmes more transparent, merit-based and effective. He added that ensuring the timely delivery of welfare services to deserving people remains the department’s top priority