Mashallah. Thanks to the Unprecedented Economic growth during the past eight years under the great leadership of Great President Musharaf, only 7 Million Pakistanis need Benazir Cards. :k:
Let’s hope these cards are not kept by the well off party workers, and reach the 7 Million people that need them.
7 mln poor to be aided through Benazir Cards: Zardari
Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari Friday claimed the next budget will aim at providing relief to the poor as 7 million poor will be issued Benazir cards to give them financial support on monthly basis.
Addressing a press conference with Socialist International Asia Pacific leader, Luis Harrera on his side here, Asif Zardari said PPP welcomes Socialist International.
He said there will be UN led probe into the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto who, he pointed out, rendered sacrifice of her life for the cause of democracy along with other PPP workers. PPP will continue to follow the path of democracy, he said, adding those who plan to hold long march will be welcomed and facilitated.
PPP Co-chairman asserted that his party is steadily progressing towards the right direction by holding negotiations. “The constitutional package has entered the completion phase… the Law Minister will discuss it with me today,” he informed, adding 'after this consultations will be held with Nawaz Sharif and other coalition partners."
I do not see anything bad in providing direct cash to poor. Actually, I wrote to Musharraf about providing direct cash allowances to poor families when he came to power in 1999 with some difference. Two of the differences what I wrote was that families that get the cash should have ID card and bank account. Further, cash should only go in the bank account of mothers 'women with kids' and not to father. Reason is that direct payment in bank account would reduce corruption and when 'money and family is concerned', men can blow the money on many other things but women would first look after the kids. [Third difference I wrote was a bit controversial. Though optional, I believe it is good for the country but may antagonise some in the society, so could not mention it :)].
I also wrote that this should be done even if government could not afford from tax revenue or borrowing and have to print money (causing inflation to go up). I think that this is the best way to spend government money than giving some subsidies indirectly, as indirect subsidies like subsidy to keep prices of petrol, food, utilities down, goes to all but direct subsidy goes to those who need. Only problem and I saw at that time was corruption and thus I also recommended that family who gets subsidy should be made to open a bank account and subsidy should go only in the person's accounts.
Today also I fear is of corruption and plus making it Party specific. To me, this subsidy should not get associated to a party or person ... like subsidy in the name of BeNazir card or PPP card, as money belongs to Pakistan, not to her or party. Actually, to me, this should not have any name but there should be a register of poor with government and subsidy should go to families on register. If card is desired than this should be called 'Pakistan card'.
But again, this subsidy should not be used for political reasons but should be given irrespective of party affiliations and should be across the Nation with genuine desire to help poor families.