Rs 21b Help to Flood-hit Through Watan Cards

The News: Dated 17 November, 2010


National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has reached out to 1.2 million flood affected families and 21 Billion rupees have been disbursed in lieu of rehabilitation and reconstruction through 115 Watan card distribution centres established countrywide in just few weeks.

If this is not governance then what is?" questioned Tariq Malik, Deputy Chairman NADRA in a statement issued here.

Responding to criticism on media regarding speed of the program, Malik said in a country where file moves from one office to the neighboring one in a month, NADRA has established 115 centers, equipped them with technology, deployed resources and issued cash assistance cards with the speed of light. It has already become one of the largest cash assistance program in post disaster relief, as far as catering to such a huge masses is concerned.

Tariq Malik rejected the impression created by some media organizations that Widows and special persons are not getting Watan Cards. "We have already issued more than 90,000 Watan cards to flood effected widows and 3123 Watan cards to disabled persons as head of family. Remember all widows and disabled persons are not eligible -only those who belong to flood hit area duly notified by provincial governments are entitled for Watan Cards" said Malik.

Deputy Chairman said that NADRA has played its role and created a system under which funds can be distributed in a transparent way. "Its enforcement is responsibility of the provincial governments and they have to play their role," he added. NADRA has deployed the Watan Card strategy of cash assistance after it was approved by Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting with the agreement of all four provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and AJK-Online