Benevolent Fund would be computerized for its linkage to NADRA – Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah
Benevolent Fund Board approves release of Rs.1128 million to all districts for onward payment; fund is given to legal heirs of the deceased employees
Karachi: Sindh government has decided to link the Benevolent Fund with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) by computerization.
The decision was taken in 38th meeting of Provincial Benevolent Fund Board, presided over by Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah on Tuesday.
“Benevolent Fund in Sindh will be computerized and linked with NADRA,” Chief Secretary said.
The meeting was attended by Senior Member Board of Revenue Qazi Shahid Pervaiz, Secretary, General Administration Naseem ul Ghani Sahito and other members of Provincial Benevolent Fund Board.
The meeting reviewed the rules of Benevolent Fund for Officers and Employees of provincial government.
It was informed that this Benevolent Fund is given to the legal heirs (wife / husband / daughter) of the deceased employees. The meeting approved the release of Rs.1128 million to all the districts for further payment of Benevolent Fund. The meeting also approved 146 new applications of the Benevolent Fund.
It may be mentioned that a certain amount is deducted every month from the salary of government employee, which is to be paid to his or her heir after the death. However, it has been observed that the heirs use to face difficulties in receiving the benevolent fund and had to wait for months to get paid. There also had been complaints of corruption at district administration level, which is responsible to release the fund to the heirs.
Separately, the first meeting of the Provincial Working Group for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah at Sindh Secretariat on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by senior member Board of Revenue Qazi Shahid Pervaiz, CEO Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) Hashim Raza, secretaries of various departments and representatives of SITE and Kati.
Mumtaz Ali Shah said that legislation would be simplified for the development of small and medium enterprises as the economy would be stabilized and employment opportunities would be created by promoting small and medium enterprises.
He further said that business would be facilitated by simplifying the rules and regulations and the tax system.
Mumtaz Ali Shah added that this working group on provincial level was set up to provide assistance to small and medium enterprises in the province in registration, financial assistance from banks and other matters.
CEO SMEDA Hashim Raza said that in view of the government’s priorities, the federal and provincial governments are paying special attention to the development of SME sector. He informed the meeting that a lot of legislation has been made regarding SMEs at different times at the federal, provincial and district level and now all the legislation is being reviewed.
A committee headed by the Secretary Industries was formed by the Provincial Working Group which will work with all stakeholders to make recommendations on legislation at the next meeting of the Working Group.
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