LAHORE, April 17: The Central Zakat Council has provided the second instalment of Rs1,018.992 million to the provincial Zakat Council for provision of six categories of financial assistance to the deserving people in the province.

A sum of Rs611.396 million has been provided for disbursement of the monthly stipend guzara allowance; Rs183.419 million for educational stipends; Rs81.52 million for religious seminaries; Rs61.139 million for meeting health care expenses of the poor; Rs40.759 million for social welfare and rehabilitation besides Rs40759 million for marriage grants.

The provincial council has distributed the funds among the zakat committees of 34 districts in proportion with their population which will be re-allocated among the local committees.

The Central Zakat Council has also provided Rs3.026 million to the provincial council for repair and maintenance of transport and payment of utility bills.