‘Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam ke Mehman’ to be established in Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan is approaching, the Punjab government has approved Rs6 billion for the “Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam ke Mehman” programme, which will benefit 93,00,000 people across the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

According to details, overall, the Punjab government will spend Rs47 billion will be spent to provide relief to deserving people of the province.

“Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam ke Mehman” will be established in every tehsil of each district, where 2,000 fasting individuals will be served iftar daily.

Earlier, an important meeting on Ramadan preparations and public relief was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

During the meeting, she approved the CM Ration Card, Nigehban Dastarkhwan, Sasta Bazaar facilities, and other administrative measures for underprivileged families, aimed at ensuring timely assistance without unnecessary hurdles.

Under the Ramadan Nigehban Card, beneficiaries will be able to purchase essential items in addition to receiving cash. District administrations will distribute the cards door to door. Cardholders can withdraw cash through Bank of Punjab branchless banking agents and One Link network ATMs, and make purchases from designated vendors.

For card activation, 136 centers have been established, while activation will also be available at Bank of Punjab ATMs. During Ramadan, ration card holders across Punjab will receive Rs10,000 instead of the usual Rs3,000 monthly assistance.

A Ramadan Nigehban dashboard has been set up, along with a counter-checking system through phone calls to cardholders. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the payment process remains simple and convenient.

The meeting approved the establishment of eight “Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam ke Mehman” in every tehsil, where 2,000 fasting individuals will be served iftar daily. Commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and Punjab Food Authority officials will monitor arrangements.

Fasting individuals will be served dates, samosas, milk, Rooh Afza, bananas, and chicken biryani. During Ramadan, 65 Sasta Bazaars will operate in 30 districts, along with permanent and mobile Sasta Bazaars, while temporary Ramadan bazaars will be set up in 11 districts.

Maryam Nawaz directed further price reductions during Ramadan and instructed the establishment of stalls by flour mills, chicken suppliers, grocery merchants, and ghee mill associations.