THATTA, Feb 15: The Zakat disbursement system benefited a lot of undeserving people and the system needed to be changed under the umbrella of the provincial Zakat Council, Sindh.

This was said by the chairman of district Zakat and Ushr committee, Thatta, Maulvi Abdul Basit Siddiqui, while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.

He said the district Zakat office, out of its six monthly instalments of Rs14.5 million, had initiated the disbursement of its 60 per cent as the “Guzara” allowance, 18 per cent in the head of scholarships, 8 per cent for religious institutions, 6 per cent for health, 4 per cent for dowry and 4 per cent for social welfare and rehabilitation.

Elaborating his point, Mr Siddiqui said that some 17,325 Mustahqeen would get Rs500 each for six months as the “Guzara” allowance through their 525 local committees in the district, but, he added that this amount for six months was not beneficial for individuals.

He suggested that instead of allocating 80 per cent for Guzara” allowance and 4 per cent for dowry, this amount should be allocated for the rehabilitation of the poor so that they could be self dependent and live with honour and dignity.

He disclosed that the district had received an amount for 40 cases of rehabilitation and 50 cases in the head of dowry, where as there were 800 cases in the two heads.

Mr Siddiqui further said that poverty had risen due to natural calamities and the district needed more funds to help it reduce.