Lahore: The Punjab government has approved a major welfare initiative aimed at supporting 1.5 million labourers and daily wage earners across the province, officials confirmed on Thursday. The package, finalized in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, includes the launch of a new Ration Card Scheme under which eligible individuals will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000.
The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to provide economic relief to low-income households and strengthen social safety nets amid rising inflation and financial strain on working-class families.
According to officials, the programme will directly target those employed in informal sectors who often lack consistent income and access to formal government support systems. The disbursement mechanism and eligibility criteria are expected to be announced in the coming days.
In the same cabinet session, several other key reforms were approved. Notably, amendments were made to the Food Grains Licensing Control Order, 1957, making it mandatory for flour mills to procure at least 25% of their wheat supply through regulated sources. The change is intended to enhance transparency and curb market manipulation in the food supply chain.
Additionally, the Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005, was amended to empower Additional Session Judges to serve as Consumer Court authorities. This move aims to strengthen legal recourse for citizens facing consumer rights violations and improve the efficiency of dispute resolution mechanisms.
The newly approved welfare programme follows shortly after the launch of Punjab’s SMART Environment Protection Force — a high-tech initiative spearheaded by the chief minister to tackle environmental challenges. Equipped with mobile labs, drone surveillance, and real-time air quality monitoring tools, the force is designed to enforce environmental regulations and improve urban livability.
Together, the welfare and environmental measures reflect the Punjab government’s multi-pronged approach to governance, combining economic inclusion with sustainability and legal reform.
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