THIS is with reference to the report ‘PM angry at Sindh’s refusal to join ration programme’ (Dec 18), wherein the prime minister condemned the Sindh government for not participating in the Rs106.1 billion Ehsaas Ration Programme (ERP).

He regretted that the people of the province would not be able to get the benefit of the programme aimed at providing relief to 20 million inflation-hit, poverty-stricken people in the country.

Earlier, the Sindh government also refused to participate in the health card scheme launched by the federal government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. It is unfortunate that political tussle between the federal and provincial governments has deprived the people of Sindh of these programmes that are needed badly for their welfare.

If the provincial government has any reservations about the programmes or has any constraints, it must initiate its own schemes in these areas to extend relief to the people facing hardships to get better and inexpensive medical treatment and food.

The people of Sindh also deserve benefits that are being extended to the people in other parts of the country. The provincial government’s decisions are creating a sense of deprivation and resentment.

It is time the provincial government either participated in the schemes initiated by the federal government or launched its own without any delay.

Tariq Majeed
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2022