*Government spokesman says distribution of financial assistance will be made transparent
As per instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, second phase of financial assistance for the flood affectees is being started from November 10 under which Rs 11.72 billion will be distributed among the flood-hit while Rs 4.30 billion have been distributed in the first phase, said Punjab government spokesman Zaeem Qadri while addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister Office on Sunday. Board of Revenue senior member Nadeem Ashraf and PDM Director General (DG) Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi were also present on the occasion. Qadri said that all phases of distribution of financial assistance have 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, the Board of Revenue senior member said that loss of completely destroyed houses has been estimated at Rs 80 thousand and in the first phase, Rs 25 thousand had been paid while Rs 55 thousand more will be provided in the second phase. He said that partially damaged house has been estimated at Rs 40 thousand and a further sum of Rs 15 thousand will be given in the second phase whereas Rs 25 thousand have already been paid. He said that financial assistance at the rate of Rs 10 thousand per acre will be given to 192,000 farmers. He said that counters of NADRA and Bank of Punjab have been set up in the centres 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 the government has launched the biggest relief operation of the history of the province under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif. He said that 286 persons were killed in floods and payment of compensation at the rate of Rs 16 hundred thousand each has been provided. He said that 90,600 tents and about two hundred thousand food hampers were also distributed among the flood victims. Similarly, 23 thousand mosquito nets, 25 hundred thousand water purifying tablets and 23 hundred thousand 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 over two billion rupees were immediately provided to DCOs of 16 flood affected districts so that relief measures could immediately be started for calamity-hit people.
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