Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr. Sania Nishtar has opened the Ehsaas Rashan Riayat portal to register deserving families as well as Kiryana merchants.

She announced this at a media briefing in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The registration can be carried out through the online Ehsaas Rashan portal: ehsaasrashan.pass.gov.pk.

Dr Sania Nishtar also visited a local Kiryana store in Sitara market Islamabad along with senior officials of National Bank of Pakistan to enroll the first Kiryana merchant on the portal

Describing the modalities of the programme, Dr. Sania said the low-income families who want to benefit from the Ehsaas Ration programme will register on the portal with their Computerized National Identity Card Number and a mobile number issued on that CNIC. Only one such person from each household will be eligible to get registered in the Rashan Riayat programme.

The SAPM said Ehsaas Rashan Riayat programme aims to reduce the impact of inflation for the marginalized segments of society. She said a subsidy of one thousand rupees per month will be given to each of the eligible 20 million families on the purchase of flour, cooking oil and pulses. All eligible families will be able to purchase Rashan from the designated Karyana stores on a 30 percent subsidy.

The SAPM said the government will also incentivize Kiryana merchants by giving them attractive commission on Ehsaas’ subsidy amount to encourage them to benefit more and more people. He said there will also be a lucky draw giving away cars, motorcycles, mobile phones and various other prizes every quarter to create healthy competition among the merchants.

It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced Ehsaas Rashan Riayat programme, in his address to the nation, on Wednesday last. The 120 billion rupees targeted subsidies programme would benefit 20 million families.