Government Schemes

In this blog post, we will explain What is Scheme. We also discuss the government schemes. A scheme is a systematic program of action made by the government to accomplish specific goals like providing relief to the public, arranging facilities for government officials, designing strategies for working with foreign investors, and many more. These schemes aim to reduce poverty in the country, promote economic growth, and improve various sectors. Government schemes support vulnerable sections of the public such as the poor, elderly, women, and youth, and these schemes are funded through taxes and loans. Government Schemes Schemes that are initiated by the government of any state are called government schemes. The government of Pakistan has also recently taken the initiative of many schemes including business and agriculture loan schemes, housing schemes, laptop schemes, scholarship schemes, bike schemes, health card schemes, BISP schemes, and many others. Here detailed overview of these schemes is mentioned. Types of Government Schemes Types of Government schemes are mentioned below. Prime Minister's Youth Business Loan Scheme Prime Minister's Youth Business Loan Scheme is promoting the spirit of Entrepreneurship among the youth of Pakistan by providing business loans on simple terms and low markup. This loan is provided through 15 Commercial, Islamic, and SME banks. All Pakistani residents, aged between 21 and 45 years are eligible to apply for the loan. For IT/e-commerce-related businesses, the lower age limit is 18 years. Applications must be submitted online only through the Prime Minister Youth Program (PMYP) website. Loans provided under PMYB&ALS are segregated into 3 tiers. This scheme is only for resident Pakistanis. Government employees are not eligible to apply under this scheme. All necessary information can be found at https://pmyp.gov.pk/pmyphome/PMYBALS Prime Minister's Youth Program Prime Minister’s Youth Program is ensuring the provision of quality education, decent employment, and meaningful engagement for the youth of Pakistan. The mission of PMYP is to invest in youth development, making them skilled, confident, resourceful, and self-reliant. PMYP focuses on promoting Technical Skills Training along with formal Education, enhancing the number of job opportunities for the young population, engaging youth in productive activities for their character building, and aiming to fight against climate change by engaging youth in healthy activities that help the environment. To benefit from any of the services of the Prime Minister Youth Program, apply at the official website of PMYP https://pmyp.gov.pk/ Benazir Income Support Program Scheme Benazir Income Support Program was launched by the Govt. of Pakistan in July 2008 to serve as the premier national safety net institution with the primary objective of consumption smoothing and alleviating adverse effects of slow economic growth. BISP operates nationwide through a network of 385 tehsil offices, 33 divisional offices, six regional offices, and its headquarters in Islamabad. This structure facilitates program implementation at the national, provincial, divisional, and local levels. BISP aims to alleviate poverty and empower low-income families. The core function of BISP is to provide direct cash to female heads of families. Currently, each beneficiary family receives the quarterly amount of Rs 9000/- under the Benazir Kafalat Scheme. BISP also provides a one-time payment of Rs 25,000 to flood-affected families. To support the primary education of children of beneficiary families, BISP provides an additional stipend under the Waseel-e-Taleem Scheme and many other services. To apply for BISP, send the CNIC number of the head of household to 8171 and visit Ehsas one window centers. Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program Scheme Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program is a special initiative of Chief Minister Punjab. This scheme aims to provide 100,000 affordable Houses / Apartments to eligible residents in all areas of the province, marking a significant development in Punjab’s housing sector. Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program will facilitate low-income segments of society currently residing either in rented buildings or in informal settings to have their own houses. This program will deliver 100,000 affordable houses across the province. The scheme offers interest-free loans, easy monthly installments, and simplified application processes. To facilitate the application process, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has developed a dedicated online portal for the scheme. The portal (acag.punjab.gov.pk.) allows citizens to register, track, and manage their applications conveniently from anywhere. Additionally, a helpline (0800-09100) has been established to assist applicants with queries. E-Bike Scheme The E-Bike Scheme launched by the Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz is aimed in providing environmentally friendly bikes to students at Interest-free rates. In Phase-I, 19000 petrol bikes and 8179 e-bikes will be given to students of HEC Recognized Degree Colleges/ Universities in the 5 cities (Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi & Lahore). Student must fulfill this eligibility criterion: must be over 18 years of age, must be a regular student of a Degree College / University, duly recognized by HEC Must hold a valid motorcycle Learner’s Permit / Driving License, In case of receipt of applications over allocated quotas, e-balloting shall be conducted. Applications can only be submitted online through the web portal of the scheme after online registration of the student. No application may be submitted by hand in any office. The address of web portal is www.bikes.punjab.gov.pk. The Bank of Punjab (BOP) shall give an installment plan to each successful applicant. The financing for E-Bikes under the scheme is limited up to Rs. 250,000 and that for Petrol Bike is limited up to Rs. 150,000. As per the requirement of the State Bank of Pakistan, 30% equity is to be paid by the borrower. The remaining 20% upfront equity shall be paid by Govt. of Punjab. Furthermore, all mark-up on the bike loan shall also be paid by the Punjab Government. Kisan Card Scheme The Kisan Card scheme is a program that helps farmers access government schemes, such as loans, insurance, and subsidies. It also provides farmers with fertilizers and seeds at fixed prices. The Punjab government has started registration of farmers under the Chief Minister's Kissan Card scheme from June 01, 2024, to provide interest-free agricultural loans. Initially loan facility will be provided to 500,000 farmers on a first come first serve basis. The maximum loan per farmer per season will be Rs. 150,000 for 5 Acres (@PKR 30,000/acre). The loan amount can only be used for the purchase of agriculture inputs (Fertilizer, Seed etc.). All farmers, with land holding up to 12.5 acres will be eligible. The farmer has to mobile SIM registered against his own CNIC (PMD Verified). Famers who own land and whose land record is available in PLRA will be entitled to a loan. To apply for the Kissan Card Scheme, send your CNIC to 8070. After getting eligible for this scheme, visit Land Record Centers. Sehat Card Scheme Sehat Sahulat Program is a milestone towards social welfare reforms; ensuring that the identified under-privileged citizens across the country get access to their entitled medical health care in a swift and dignified manner without any financial obligations. The SSP program’s objective is to improve access of the poor population to good quality medical services, through a micro health insurance scheme. Eligible households receive free healthcare services, including hospitalization, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. The program covers a range of health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and kidney diseases. There are 2 treatment packages: Secondary Care provides initial coverage of Rs 60000/- per family per year and additional coverage of Rs 60000/- per family. The other package is Priority Treatment which provides initial coverage of Rs 300,000/- per family per year and additional coverage of Rs 300,000/- per family. You can check your eligibility by texting your National Identity Card number to 8500 or calling 44424761. You are automatically enrolled if you have a CNIC or Form B with a permanent address. After receiving the card from the card distribution center in your district, you can go to an empaneled hospital, and the SSP staff will verify your card and direct you to the relevant department. Himmat Card Scheme The Himmat Card is a package of different services offered by the Government to persons with disability (PWDs). At the present moment, the government has announced the provision of a quarterly stipend of amount Rs. 7500 to needy PWDs. Later on, any other service announced by the Government for PWDs will be provided through the Himmat Card. The eligibility criteria for the Himmat Card Scheme are as follows: PWD should be certified by Social Welfare Punjab PWD should be NOT FIT TO WORK PWD should not be employed in government or private office PWD should not have taken recently any grant from Bait ul Maal, Zakat Fund, PSPA, BISP etc. PMT score issued by BISP should not exceed 45. PWD basic data should be updated in the DPMIS (CNIC, Address, Mobile no, education & experience etc.) To apply for Himmat Card Scheme Visit https://swd.punjab.gov.pk/himmatcard and enter your CNIC. Visit any nearest Social Welfare Center, Help Desk, or Office of District Officer of Social Welfare in office timings. You can also call helpline 1312. Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program Scheme Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program aims to bear the cost of their Undergraduate Degree Program in 68 selected disciplines across all 50 Public Sector Universities, 16 Medical Colleges, 131 Graduate Colleges of HED as well as High Ranked Universities like LUMS, FAST National University, COMSATS, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), NUST and 7 other leading Private Sector Universities in Punjab. Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program will cover 100% tuition fees of students. The Eligibility Criteria for this scheme are as follows: Have domicile from any district of the Punjab. Not be older than 22 years of age on the closing date. Family monthly income should be less than Rs 300,000 (Affidavit Required) (Download Sample Affidavit) The Applicant must be enrolled in Selected Disciplines in the Selected Universities / Colleges in the fall session 2024. The newly enrolled MBBS and BDS students in 2024 will also be eligible for this scholarship program. Minimum F.Sc./Intermediate marks: Medical Colleges > 80% Top Universities > 80% Public Sector Universities > 75% for Sciences and > 70% for Arts and Social Sciences. HED Colleges > 65% for Sciences and > 60% for Arts and Social Sciences. To get complete information on eligible disciplines and eligible universities please visit the official website of Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program. To apply for this scheme visit this link: https://honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk/ and enter your Details, Educational Details, and Socio-Economic Details and upload the required documents.