Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has termed the Ehsaas Programme a giant leap towards poverty alleviation and the establishment of a welfare state.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of distribution of assets in deserving persons under “Mera Karobar Meri Amdni of Ehsaas Programme” in Layyah.

In his address delivered in Saraiki language, the chief minister announced granting the status of tehsil to Chowk Sarwar Shaheed area of Muzaffargarh.

He also announced launching the Ehsaas Program in Punjab with an amount of Rs12 billion which will directly benefit 18 lac needy people and 64 lac people will be indirectly benefitted. At least 375 union councils of 23 districts have been chosen across the country including Layyah, DG Khan and Jhang districts of Punjab, he added.

“Giving assets to 260 needy persons has been started in 22 rural union councils of Layyah and the deserving persons will also be given retail shops’ material, rickshaws and pushcarts for earning their livelihood,” the CM added.

Similarly, he said, the deserving rural population will be given cows and goats and needy females of rural areas have also been included in this beneficial programme. At least 60 percent beneficiaries will be females and share of males will be 40 percent. Provision of resources for earning livelihood will usher in an area of prosperity in the villages, concluded the chief minister.