Four more months needed for Watan Cards distribution, says Qaim

The process of distribution of Watan Cards had been started around one-and-a-half months ago and it would continue for further three to four months as significant number of flood-hit people had yet to receive promised financial assistance, according to Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah.Talking about the admissibility of adjournment motion moved by NPP’s Arif Jatoi in the Sindh Assembly on Monday, the CM claimed that the government had “boldly” faced the floods and came up to expectations of the people. He said that after rescue and relief operations the process of rehabilitation has been started. Shah said that each flood-hit family would be provided Rs20,000 as interim relief and as per announcement of prime minister Rs80,000 would be given to the affectees, which implies that an amount of Rs20 billion would be distributed in this regard.Qaim Shah regretted that instead of appreciating the government’s efforts, the learned legislator was involved in criticizing the scheme in a “blunt manner”.’The CM contended that the adjournment motion was not admissible as it was not “definite, urgent and of recent occurrence”. The CM said “general allegations” have been levelled in the motion that the Watan Cards were not being distributed properly but no definite area has been identified in this regard.Joint opposition leader Jam Madad said that Watan Cards was a good scheme but some flaws and negligence has been reported in the media and by suggesting debate on it they wanted to bring improvement in the scheme.Arif Jatoi said he considered the scheme as good but there were many complaints that the genuine affectees were being deprived of Watan Cards. He said even Qaim Shah had instructed chief minister’s inspection team to conduct probe into the complaints while prime minister had also reportedly taken notice of the situation.Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said if the legislator has received complaints about any area, he should submit the same and the government would address it. Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, who chaired the session, gave ruling that the adjournment motion was “out of order” for being not “specific”, besides “supporting documents” were not provided