PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR: The provincial authorities on Friday introduced an Rs32 billion aid package deal for the 35.6 million residents of the province other than extending the closures of faculties, markets and places of work within the province as a part of measures to mitigate the influence of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
It follows an Rs1.2 trillion help package deal introduced by the federal authorities just a few days in the past.
The choice was taken throughout a gathering of the provincial cupboard on Friday which met with Khyber-Pakthunkhwa (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan within the chair.
Addressing a information convention after the cupboard assembly, the chief minister mentioned that beneath the package deal, round 1.9 million households of susceptible segments of society together with day by day wagers, labourers and others, can be offered month-to-month monetary aid value Rs5,000 every (or round Rs9.5 billion). He added that this package deal has been earmarked for 3 months however could be prolonged relying on the scenario.
CM Mahmood hoped that round 43 per cent of the province’s inhabitants will stand to profit from the package deal in these dire occasions.
For the enterprise neighborhood, he mentioned that the provincial authorities had determined to waive off the gathering of provincial taxes value Rs5 billion. Equally, extensions have been given to companies who need to repay loans issued by the Financial institution of Khyber (BoK).
Mahmood defined that this package deal has been introduced for an preliminary section and that ought to the necessity come up, the provincial authorities is able to lower down the annual improvement programme and instantly spend the earmarked funds on public welfare.
“A special food package has also been approved for the people of the locked-down area of Maanga in Mardan district, which will be further increased,” he remarked.
Mahmood lauded the function of the frontline well being employees, police, rescuers, district administration and all different our bodies who’re preventing towards Covid-19. He additionally expressed his gratitude to the house owners of markets, buying malls, eating places and different locations of public gathering for holding their institutions shut and to most people for his or her cooperation with the federal government in minimizing social contact and public gatherings.
Mahmood hoped that they are going to quickly be capable of overcome the crises.
Later, whereas offering particulars of the cupboard’s selections, Adviser to Chief Minister on Data Ajmal Wazir mentioned that the cupboard has authorised Rs4 billion for devoted quarantine centres. Of this, Rs1 billion can be launched instantly.
The cupboard, Wazir mentioned, had determined to boost 500 speedy response groups to take care of the pandemic. These groups will go door-to-door and assist each household throughout the province.
Wazir additional mentioned that the cupboard has determined to rent retired well being employees and medical college students and different professionals on day by day wages to help well being employees of the province.
In step with the choice of the federal authorities, he mentioned that the provincial cupboard has determined to increase the closure of academic establishments till Could 31. The ban on authorities and public occasions and marriages has additionally been prolonged to April 30.
Furthermore, aside from important departments, all different authorities places of work will stay closed till April 5, he mentioned. The adviser maintained that the ban on spiritual festivities and different public gatherings will stay in place till April 30. With some exemptions, he mentioned that each one intra and inter-district transports may even stay suspended till April 5.
Wazir additionally mentioned that assessments and interviews for recruitments within the authorities, aside from important companies, will stay suspended till Could 31.
All markets will stay closed till April 10, nonetheless, couriers and cash switch companies can be exempted from this ban.
Owing to the well being emergency, the adviser mentioned that each one outpatient departments (OPDs) and dental companies at tertiary care and District Headquarters (DHQs) Hospitals will stay suspended for per week.
These juvenile and feminine prisoners who can’t afford their bail bonds can be launched after the federal government pays the bonds.
The provincial cupboard has allowed industrial items to renew manufacturing, offered they’re producing day by day use utilities and that they strictly adjust to the usual working procedures (SOPs) and pointers outlined by the federal government.
He additionally mentioned that the cupboard has authorised 17.5 billion for buying four lac 50 thousand tons of wheat to fulfill present necessities of the province.
Revealed in The Specific Tribune, March 28th, 2020.
