ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to speed up the registration process for Ehsaas Ration Programme to benefit the maximum number of poor households.

Chairing a meeting on Ehsaas Ration Programme, he also emphasised on involving district government authorities to raise awareness among Kiryana (small local shops) stores and the potential beneficiaries in this regard.

The prime minister said, “The government is taking all possible measures to provide maximum relief to a common man.”

“Being cognizant of the sufferings of people due to inflation, we are extending subsidies to the poorest of the poor people on essential commodities,” he added.

Read more: Govt launches Ehsaas Ration programme to benefit low income families: PM’s aide

Earlier, the prime minister was apprised that under Ehsaas Ration Programme, a monthly subsidy of Rs1,000 on flour, ghee and pulses would be given to 20 million households of the country that have their monthly income below Rs50,000.

The prime minister was briefed that the programme would be launched across the country on December 15, 2021. The registration of Kiryana stores under the programme is in progress, and more than 15,000 Kiryana stores have been registered so far.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar, Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid, Special Assistant on Political Communication Dr Shehbaz Gill and senior officers concerned.

Read more: Registration for Ehsaas Rashan Programme through SMS service restored

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi joined the meeting via video-link.