Govt earmarks Rs8 billion for sasti roti

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday has disclosed that in the next fiscal year, a huge amount of Rs 8 billion is being allocated for Sasti Roti Scheme.
According to an official handout, Shahbaz said Sasti Roti Scheme would continue and effective measures are being taken for further streamlining the system so that deserving persons could fully benefit from the project.
He directed to set up Mohallah (Neighbourhood) Committees within a month for implementing the scheme in an effective manner, while an independent and autonomous authority with MNA Hanif Abbasi its chairman must be established in a week for the purpose. He also directed to set up mechanical tandoors in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Faisalabad by June 15.
He was presiding over a high-level meeting for reviewing Sasti Roti Scheme and improving related system. Members of National Assembly Hanif Abbasi, Khurram Dastagir and Mian Marghoob, Member Provincial Assembly Ch Shahbaz Ahmed, Chairman Taskforce Waheed Alam, Coordinator Rao Tahir Musharraf, additional chief secretary, secretaries of Commerce and Investment and Food, Commissioner Lahore and other officials concerned attended the meeting.
On the occasion, Asad Umar gave a detailed presentation for further improvement of Sasti Roti Scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said serving the poor is the mission of PML-N government and no effort will be spared in this regard. He said Punjab government has initiated Sasti Roti Project for first time in the history of the country and it is being implemented successfully.
He said tandoors under Sasti Roti have been established in poor localities, slums, industrial areas, hospitals, railway stations and bus stands. Around 12 thousand tandoors are functioning in the province for supply of cheap bread and a strategy is being evolved for doubling the number to benefit maximum number of deserving people.

The Nation: June 04,2009