PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a Rs500 million Ehsaas Loan Programme to help persons with disabilities establish businesses and achieve financial independence, a provincial adviser said on Thursday.
Speaking at an open forum for persons with disabilities in Swabi, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare, Zakat and Ushr Malik Liaquat Ali Khan said the loan initiative had been included in the province’s Annual Development Programme.
Under the scheme, eligible persons with disabilities will receive interest-free loans on favourable terms to establish small businesses and develop sustainable sources of income.
The adviser also announced a Rs700 million Ehsaas Scholarship Scheme for deserving students with disabilities to support their educational needs.
He said the Ehsaas Umeed Card Scheme would be launched this week, under which 10,000 persons with disabilities would receive Rs5,000 per month. A separate card scheme for deserving orphans and widows would also provide monthly assistance of Rs5,000.
According to Mr Liaquat, financial assistance under the schemes would be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and minimize delays.
He said eligible people would not need to visit government offices for registration, as social welfare officials would conduct door-to-door registration and collect the required information.
The adviser also announced Rs50,000 in assistance for an elderly person with a disability and directed officials to resolve issues raised at the forum.
He said a special quota would be reserved for persons with disabilities under the provincial dowry fund. The government was also working to establish handicraft and skills centres to provide vocational training, particularly to women, and create opportunities for dignified employment.
Mr Liaquat said the government would continue to support vulnerable communities and ensure that persons with disabilities were included in the province’s development and welfare initiatives.
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