Rawalpindi:
Due to a severe ‘financial crisis’, the department of Zakat and Ushr of the district could not distribute 10 deserving receptors, including orphans and widowed women, in the district of Rawalpindi on the occasion of Eidul Azha.
Previously, financial assistance or EID gifts were not distributed during Eidul Fitr.
On Thursday, people in need, widows and other deserving recipients, who visited Zakat’s office in the hope of receiving financial help, were informed that there would be no disbursement, which caused a general protest among affected families.
During the last 18 months, financial aid has not been distributed to eligible beneficiaries in Punjab due to the ongoing economic crisis. Before Eidul Fitr, there were eid gift ads worth RS12,000 per receptor from 20 to 25 Ramazan. However, Ramazan 28, they were told the beneficiaries: “There is no money”, and the distribution was canceled.
Similarly, this Eidul Azha, an official announcement, was made on April 28, indicating that each individual deserving individual would be granted as part of a unique EID gift. The news had brought many families in need, widows and orphans. However, when a large number of women arrived at Zakat’s office to collect the promised help, they were informed that funds had not been released and that Eid’s gifts were canceled. The authorities told them that the money could be disbursed after EID, once the funds are available.
Many women were seen in tears. A widow, Razia Begum, expressed her anguish, saying: “They also humiliated us in Eidul Fitr. At that time, they told us that we would receive RS12,000; now RS24,000 promised itself as an annual help, and once again, we have been rejected. If there is no money, they should not make false promises.”
The families of patients suffering from leprosy were also denied financial assistance, despite having been quoted among receptors.
The employees of the Zakat department in Rawalpindi revealed that they have not received their salaries, despite the fact that the personnel of other government departments were paid on May 30 and 31. Without their salaries, these employees said they could not buy clothes or shoes for their children, and their EID celebrations were ruined. They have been told that wages can be broadcast on June 10 or 11.
On Thursday, all women and deserving families who arrived in the hope of receiving financial assistance became disappointed.
The Zakat department generally provides a monthly subsidy of RS2,000, paid every three or four months through Easypaisa. However, due to the ongoing financial crisis in Punjab, this allocation has not been disbursed during the last 18 months. It was supposed to be unpaid of a full year, which amounts to RS24,000, would be granted as an eid gift this time, but, like Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha passed without any help due to the lack of availability of funds.
