Provincial Minister for Zakat & Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran has said that it has been decided to reformulate Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programme. Chairmen District Zakat Committees of the province, senior officials of Vocational Training Council and Zakat Department will present their recommendations within two weeks in this regard. He said that under the aegis of Zakat Department, a separate desk is being set up for monitoring financial assistance being given under self employment scheme.
He stated this while addressing a workshop held regarding Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programme at Punjab Vocational Training Council. Secretary Zakat & Usher Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani, Chairman PVTC Faisal Ayaz Khan, MD Sajid Naseer, Administrator Zakat Muhammad Yousaf Butt, Chairman District Zakat Committee and Principals of Vocational Training Institutes of six districts were also present on the occasion. The Minister said that strict action is being taken against those misusing funds being given for personal business and legal notices are being issued to them. He said that some Chairmen Zakat Committees have reservations over financial assistance being given to deserving girl and boy students for admission in technical institutions and personal business. He expressed his concern and said that Punjab Vocational Training Council, Chairmen District Zakat Committees and Zakat Department will have to be brought on one page for setting all the matters right.
Malik Nadeem Kamran said that aim of holding workshop is self-accountability and remove mistakes. He said that change is also being brought in the policy for those getting admission in vocational training institutes so that only eligible and deserving students could be admitted to these institutions. He said that it is responsibility of local Zakat committees to select only deserving girl and boy students for technical training institutions. He said that action will also be taken against concerned responsible persons on selecting non-deserving students. He said that less educated persons should learn skills and put their share in national development and economy. He said that financial assistance will only be given to deserving students for their business under self-employment scheme.
Secretary Zakat & Usher Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani and Chairman PVTC Faisal Ayaz Khan while addressing the seminar said that business plan will be sought from deserving students for imparting technical training and issuing funds for personal business and the amounts given will only be utilized for that purpose. Later, three groups were constituted under the supervision of Chairmen Zakat Committees to propose amendments in the existing policy in the light of their experiences.