BISP Board includes transgenders in ‘Benazir Kafalat Programme’

ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in its 56th Board of Directors meeting, held here on Thursday, approved the policy for the inclusion of the transgender community as beneficiaries of Benazir Kafalat Programme of BISP.

In the meeting chaired by Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Shazia Marri, the board members urged NADRA to simplify a system for updating of CNIC of the transgender community.

Speaking on the occasion, Shazia Marri termed the approval of the Transgender Policy as a landmark achievement of the present government and urged the members of the Board of Directors to use their good offices and influence for mobilization this marginalized community, so that maximum number of transgenders may get benefit from this policy.

The board also acknowledged that organizations like BISP, NADRA and partner Banks have worked tremendously to extend financial support to flood affectees in a short span of time.

The board decided that BISP is going to adopt a new payment system under which the beneficiaries will be able to get funding directly through bank of their own choice which will ensure a transparent cash disbursement mechanism.

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The chairperson also informed the Board of Directors that under Prime Minister cash relief assistance for flood affected people, PKR 70 billion has been disbursed among 2.8 million families for which she appreciated BISP team, NADRA and partner banks

However, she said that there is a lot more that still needs to be done for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

The board meeting approved the autonomous working of procurement and also Cyber Crime Section and took decisions for the structural improvement of the BISP which includes the up-gradation of five districts of Balochistan having a large number of beneficiaries also approved the structural reforms for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan regions

The BISP Board approved an Assistance Package for employees who die during the service, which includes a one-time grant of Rs. 2 million for employees of grades 1 to 8; Rs. 5 million for employees of grades 9 to 16 and Rs. 7 million for employees in grade 17 and above. The Board referred the proposal of revision of pay and allowances of BISP employees to the Finance and HR Committee.

The Board was informed that since 2019, no revision of pay and allowance has been given to employees of BISP.

The board further introduced the contribution of a provident fund, benevolent fund and group insurance policy to the regular employees of BISP.

Dr. Qaiser Bengali, Ms. Sania Riffiat, Mr. Usman Hassan were present in the meeting while Mr. Haris Gazdar and Ashfaq Hassan Khan attended the meeting through video link while Secretary BISP, Mr. Yusuf Khan moderated the Board meeting.

High level representatives from NADRA, the Ministries of Poverty Alleviation and Finance Division, Officers of BISP were also present in the meeting.