Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Reaching out the wider national audience, Dr. Sania Nishtar convened the second e-Kacheri of Ehsaas. She was also accompanied by the Ehsaas team. Connecting with masses, Dr. Sania Nishtar replied to questions of live callers who phoned her from remote areas of country. She provided listeners with instructional and beneficiary centred information about Ehsaas programs and initiatives. The Ehsaas e-Kacheri was broadcast on Radio Pakistan’s national hook up programme Raabta as well as on Facebook, @EhsaasOffcialPK. During the e-Kacheri, Dr. Sania also listened to the issues and concerns of Ehsaas beneficiaries, guided them empathetically and assured that their issues will be resolved at the earliest. People shared their CNIC numbers in the programme and in return were instantaneously provided with their eligibility and payment status. Regarding the second round of Ehsaas Emergency Cash, Dr. Sania apprised listeners,
“The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved the launch of second phase of the Ehsaas Emergency Cash. Under the programme, Rs.12,000 financial assistance would be provided to each of the 4 million additional households. These additional households will be identified through the ongoing Ehsaas survey which is 91% complete.” She then continued, “The purpose is to compensate affected households for unemployment caused by COVID-19 crises. Payments to women of eligible households will be initiated within this financial year. Also, women can collect payment upon receiving the message”. Callers also asked about the reopening of Ehsaas registration desks. Dr. Sania informed that Ehsaas registration desks are temporarily closed nationwide owing to the current wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
Those who have received response from 8171 to go to registration desks, will be able to register themselves in Ehsaas when desks reopen after June 30, 2021. Also, Ehsaas will introduce an appeal system in September 2021 for those households who are ineligible on 8171. Educating people about fakes online registration portals, mobile apps and SMS messages being circulated in the name of Ehsaas, Dr. Sania caveated that Ehsaas has not introduced any online resource for Ehsaas registration. She told people that there are only 2 ways through which deserving households can register themselves in Ehsaas: the Ehsaas survey and Ehsaas registration desks. About Fake SMS complaints, Dr. Sania encouraged listeners to report fake SMS complaints on Ehsaas programmes so that concerned authorities can take immediate action. To tackle the menace, Ehsaas has deployed 2 mobile lines for public: 0335-1058050 & 0335-1058051. “All messages from Ehsaas are always sent out through 8171 and not through any other number”, underlined Dr. Sania. Dr. Sania also responded to queries of callers from Rajanpur and Bhakkar about the process of accessing Ehsaas interest free loans.