QUETTA: Balochistan Finance Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has said that the provincial government has set aside Rs765 million for providing assistance to the families affected by the lockdown imposed to stop coronavirus from spreading in the province.

Speaking at a ration distribution ceremony, the minister said the government was taking steps to lessen effects of coronavirus and providing maximum funds from its own resources to help the families affected by the lockdown.

He said arrangements for distribution of ration among poor families continued in all 33 districts of Balochistan.

District Nazims, leaders of political parties, public representatives and local government officials were also involved in the process, he said, adding that essential food items were being distributed without any discrimination or political affiliation.

Mr Buledi said that Rs12,000 per family were being provided to the deserving under the Ehsaas Cash Programme of the federal government in the province.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2020