PESHAWAR, Jan 23: The NWFP government has approved a three-year project for the social uplift of helpless and deprived segments of society.

The project, “Tanzeem Lilsail Wal-Mahroom” (Organisation for Indigent and Dispossessed), was approved by the Provincial Development Working Party last week in line with the cabinet decision, an official told Dawn on Tuesday.

He said that an amount of Rs400 million had been allocated for the project and added that the organisation would generate funds through donations for undertaking its operations.

Explaining the background of the project, the official said at present a number of government departments and agencies were providing services in the areas of health, education and social welfare.

However, a major portion of the poor was still unable to avail such facilities because of lack of capacity of the departments and some times the procedural hurdles involved in their operations.

The main objective of the project would be to strengthen such welfare organisations and bodies so that they could pass on maximum benefits to people, the official said.

The government appointed NWFP former chief secretary Abdullah as its chairman, besides nominating people from the private sector as its honorary members to supervise the project.

The honorary members of the organisation will work for three years.