ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: The much-publicized Food Support Programme (FSP) of the government targeting “poorest of the poor” provides Rs1.20 per person per day that does not cover even the one-third of a “Roti” currently selling at Rs3.

According to the annual report of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), there are 1.4 million poor families in the country, mainly headed by women, which are provided Rs3,000 every year under the FSP. As such, a total of 10 million people get Rs1.20 per head per day.

According to official estimates, the country’s 24 per cent or 38.5 million population lives below the poverty line. Moreover, the report also admits that the ever-increasing price of wheat is a matter of concern and suggests an increase in the FSP budget to make it a more effective programme.

During the year 2005-2006, Rs4.38 billion was provided to 1.46 million families under this programme throughout the country.

According to the criteria, the financial assistance is provided to the individuals with major ailments or disabilities; widows with dependent children; individuals with dependent children; senior citizens over the age of 65 years; orphans; destitute and victims of unpredictable circumstances.

Applications can be submitted to the offices of PBM, district coordination officers (DCOs) and district, tehsil and union council nazims.

The FSP’s described goals are food for saving life, food for human growth and food for self-facilitating self-reliance with the objectives of alleviating poverty by providing a social safety net to the poorest of the poor and providing basic nutritional requirement vis-à-vis the required caloric intake per day.

Initially, the FSP was started in 2002-03 with an annual subsidy of Rs2,000 in two biannual installments of Rs1,000 each to 1.25 million poorest of the poor families through post offices with an annual budget of Rs2.5 billion countrywide.

During 2003-04, the government increased the rate of annual subsidy from Rs2,000 to Rs2400 bringing the budget to Rs3 billion. However, during 2005-06 the rate of annual subsidy was further increased to Rs3,000 per year with an enhanced coverage of 1.46 million households.

The programme is overseen by the steering committees at federal, provincial, regional and district level. PBM, Pakistan Post Office, various banks, and provincial governments are implementing agencies.

A survey conducted by the Punjab University’s Social Studies Department confirms that 96 per cent beneficiaries deserve help, the report says.